A large barnacle-covered cylinder has washed up on a secluded Australian beach, and the country's space agency suspects it might be debris from a foreign rocket launch, DW reports.
The cylindrical object, resembling a small car and measuring six feet high, was found near Jurien Bay, a coastal region located north of Perth.
The Australian Space Agency is currently investigating whether the canister is part of a "foreign space launch vehicle that has washed up on shore." Authorities are also exploring the possibility that it might have fallen from an Indian rocket during a satellite launch.
We are currently making enquiries related to this object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia.
— Australian Space Agency (@AusSpaceAgency) July 17, 2023
The object could be from a foreign space launch vehicle and we are liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide more information.
[More in comments] pic.twitter.com/41cRuhwzZk
European Space Agency engineer Andrea Boyd suggested that the object appears to be an upper-stage engine from an Indian rocket used in various missions. As far as international space treaties are concerned, the responsibility for the disposal of objects launched into space lies with the respective country or organization.
Earlier, officials treated the object as hazardous, but subsequent government chemical analysis confirmed it was safe, alleviating any risks to the public. Speculation linking the object to the 2014 disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 was dismissed by the Western Australia Police.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Threads pages to keep up to date on world news.
Comments (0)