26-1988
H3 rocket launch - falling debris warning for western North Pacific
Warning text
AnalysisNotable
No longer in forceNotification of an H3 rocket launch with release of falling elements in the western part of the North Pacific. No positions, times or safety distances are given in this message. The message cancels NAVTEX 1961/26 and itself. Mariners should remain vigilant for debris in the area.
Maintain a sharp lookout for falling debris and navigate with caution in the western North Pacific; keep clear of any observed debris and report sightings to appropriate authorities.
Background (general knowledge, not from the warning)
The H3 is a Japanese liquid-fuelled launch vehicle developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for JAXA. H3 launches typically place stages and other elements on suborbital trajectories that drop debris downrange; warnings often cover wide ocean areas where spent stages are expected to fall. Japanese launches of this family are usually conducted from Tanegashima Space Center, so the western North Pacific is a common downrange area. Mariners in the region should expect the possibility of debris and temporary navigation hazards during and shortly after launch operations.
- Type
- Missile / rocket launch · severity high
- Feed
- Rocket launches and space debrisAll warnings of this kind on the map, or as an API feed.
- Location
- North Pacific, western part
- Hazards
- falling rocket debris, rocket launch
- Cancels
- 1961/26
Worked out automatically from the warning text on 20 Oct 2026, 04:27 UTC; the background is general knowledge, not from the warning. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.