Colombia is on guard against debris that could rain down on it from the Italian research satellite BeppoSAX, which is to enter the Earth's equatorial zone next week, officials here said Saturday."Faced with the possibility that fragments from the satellite may fall on southern Colombia, we will have to take some preventive measures, like an eventual suspension of aerial operations," civil aviation chief Juan Carlos Velez told reporters.
Velez also urged residents in Cali, Florencia, Mocoa, Neiva, Pasto, Popayan, Villavicencio and Leticia not to touch any debris from the satellite, noting that it could be toxic.
He said Italian experts would specify Monday where the debris -- expected to fall between April 29 and May 3 -- would land, noting that there was a 1 in 14 chance it would fall on Colombia.
The 1,400-kilo (870-pound) satellite, which should break into about 40 pieces upon re-entering Earth's orbit -- could also drop in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Cameroon or Singapore, Velez said.
BeppoSAX was launched in 1996.
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Nov 02, 2006
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