**Chinese Rocket Debris or Meteor? Fireball Over India Explained**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 11:59 AM*

A rare fireball lit up the skies over Delhi, Gurugram, and parts of Rajasthan early on Saturday, capturing the attention of residents across northern India. Initially speculated to be a meteor or bolide, new analysis suggests that the bright streak might actually have been debris from a Chinese rocket launch, according to India Today.

### The Incident

The event took place around 1:20 AM on September 20. Experts suspect that the fireball was debris from the Long March 3B rocket stage (CZ-3B R/B, ID 61188), launched by China. Eyewitnesses from Delhi NCR, Gurugram, and western Rajasthan reported seeing a fast-moving bright trail streaking across the night sky before burning up.

### Re-entry Timing and Prediction

The CZ-3B rocket body was expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere over northern India at approximately 16:45 UTC (10:15 PM IST) on September 19, with a four-hour uncertainty window. The timing and location of the fireball sighting align closely with this prediction, increasing the likelihood that the spectacle was space debris rather than a natural meteor.

### Official Confirmation Pending

Neither the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) nor the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has yet officially confirmed the incident. This lack of confirmation is a cause for concern, given China’s history of unannounced or poorly monitored rocket re-entries in recent years. Several Long March rocket stages have previously made uncontrolled descents, raising global safety concerns.

### Growing Safety Concerns Over Space Debris

Most space debris burns up harmlessly upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. However, larger fragments that survive can pose risks if they fall in populated areas. Thankfully, there were no reports of damage or injuries resulting from this early morning event.

Experts warn that with the increasing number of satellite launches worldwide, incidents involving space debris re-entries are likely to become more frequent, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring.

### The Need for Better International Coordination

This incident highlights the urgent necessity for improved international coordination and transparency regarding space activities. As space traffic intensifies, safe disposal practices for space hardware must be prioritized globally.

For residents across Delhi NCR, the fireball was both a beautiful and unsettling sight—a rare celestial event that also serves as a reminder of the growing risks posed by space debris above us.

As authorities await official statements from Chinese and Indian agencies, the glowing trail over northern India adds fuel to ongoing discussions about ensuring safer, more responsible space operations worldwide.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/bright-fireball-seen-over-delhi-ncr-may-not-have-been-meteor/story