3072/26

PAN PAN

Space debris hazard in a large South Pacific polygon, intermittent 28 Oct-3 Nov

Activeuntil 03 Nov 2026, 10:30 UTC (in 25 h)Received 21 Oct 2026, 23:16 UTC

Warning text

Positions open on the map

SOUTH PACIFIC. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 280618Z TO 281056Z, 290604Z TO 291042Z, 300549Z TO 301027Z, 310535Z TO 311013Z OCT 010520Z TO 010958Z, 020506Z TO 020944Z AND 030452Z TO 030930Z NOV IN AREA BOUND BY 27-59.00S 122-44.00W, 27-09.00S 120-43.00W, 38-21.00S 115-04.00W, 49-09.00S 107-22.00W, 59-09.00S 095-34.00W, 59-58.00S 099-05.00W, 44-34.00S 114-13.00W. 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 031030Z NOV 26.

Location map

Open in the full map

AnalysisNotable

Activeuntil 03 Nov 2026, 10:30 UTC (in 25 h)

Hazardous operations and space debris danger in a large area of the South Pacific defined by the listed polygon. Activity is scheduled intermittently each day from 28 October to 31 October and 1 to 3 November 2026 (times given below). Mariners should avoid the area during the specified UTC time windows. Message cancels itself 03 Nov 1030Z 2026.

Avoid the defined area during the specified UTC time windows and maintain a lookout; navigate well clear of the polygon while activity is scheduled.

Background (general knowledge, not from the warning)

These warnings typically notify mariners of planned spacecraft stage re-entries or deliberate debris-deorbit operations producing potential falling debris over a wide ocean area. The multiple short UTC windows indicate scheduled re-entry or jettison times with potential debris dispersion. The large irregular polygon reflects the uncertainty in re-entry ground-track and dispersion of fragments during atmospheric re-entry. Mariners and offshore operators are routinely asked to avoid such zones while activity is scheduled.

Type: Space debris · severity high
Feed: Rocket launches and space debrisAll warnings of this kind on the map, or as an API feed.
Location: South Pacific, area bounded by listed polygon
Validity: From 28 Oct 2026, 06:18 UTC
Until 03 Nov 2026, 10:30 UTC280618Z TO 281056Z, 290604Z TO 291042Z, 300549Z TO 301027Z, 310535Z TO 311013Z OCT 010520Z TO 010958Z, 020506Z TO 020944Z AND 030452Z TO 030930Z NOV. CANCEL THIS MSG 031030Z NOV 26.
Activity periods: 28 Oct 2026, 06:18 UTC - 28 Oct 2026, 10:56 UTC (280618Z to 281056Z Oct)
29 Oct 2026, 06:04 UTC - 29 Oct 2026, 10:42 UTC (290604Z to 291042Z Oct)
30 Oct 2026, 05:49 UTC - 30 Oct 2026, 10:27 UTC (300549Z to 301027Z Oct)
31 Oct 2026, 05:35 UTC - 31 Oct 2026, 10:13 UTC (310535Z to 311013Z Oct)
01 Nov 2026, 05:20 UTC - 01 Nov 2026, 09:58 UTC (010520Z to 010958Z Nov)
02 Nov 2026, 05:06 UTC - 02 Nov 2026, 09:44 UTC (020506Z to 020944Z Nov)
03 Nov 2026, 04:52 UTC - 03 Nov 2026, 09:30 UTC (030452Z to 030930Z Nov)
Hazards: space debris, hazardous operations

Worked out automatically from the warning text on 23 Oct 2026, 04:28 UTC; the background is general knowledge, not from the warning. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.

Keywordsspace debris hazardous operations

Back to US - HYDROPAC