India has confirmed that a massive metal dome found on a beach in Western Australia belonged to one of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV), BBC reports.
The object, discovered at Green Head Beach, is most likely the third stage of the PSLV used to launch satellites into orbit. While there are serial numbers on components, experts can also identify debris based on appearance. Australia's Space Agency is collaborating with India to determine the next steps, considering obligations under UN space treaties. According to these treaties, countries must return any "foreign" space objects found in their territory to the owners.
However, in this case, India may not retrieve the object as Western Australia has expressed interest in keeping it, potentially as a tourist attraction or for display in a museum. The object is currently in storage with the Australian Space Agency, and it remains unclear which mission it was used for or how long it was in the water before washing up. Despite initial concerns about toxins, authorities have confirmed that it poses no risk to the public.
Earlier, it was reported that the debris was confirmed not to be from Indian Chandrayaan mission spaceships by an Indian scientist.
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