Big Chinese rocket segment set to fall to Earth

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Tracking radars are closing following the gradual fall to Earth of a large Chinese rocket segment.

The core stage from the Long March-5b vehicle was used to launch the first module of China’s new space station last month.

But the return of the rocket stage will be uncontrolled, and at 18 tonnes it is one of the largest items in decades to have an undirected dive into the atmosphere.

This could happen over the weekend.

Various space debris modelling experts