Police turn to tech to identify ‘space debris’ found on outback WA minesite
- On Saturday , mine workers found a charred, smouldering object about 30 kilometres east of Newman, Western Australia, and the Australian Space Agency confirmed Monday it is suspected space debris.
- Experts note that space debris forms when satellites and launch vehicles re-enter uncontrollably, with some composite-overwrapped pressure vessels surviving the atmospheric heating and breakup.
- Initial forensic checks show the debris is carbon fibre and may be a composite-overwrapped pressure vessel or rocket tank, as suggested in an image caption attributed to Marco Langbroek, who flagged the Chinese Jielong 3 upper stage as a likely source.
- Authorities launched a multi-agency response involving the Western Australia Police Force, Australian Space Agency and Department of Fire and Emergency Services to secure the object, which poses no threat, and the ATSB ruled out a commercial aircraft origin.
- Past cases and expert warnings underline that large debris landing on land is rare, though Australia saw Skylab debris and Green Head, Western Australia , while low Earth orbit debris threatens spacecraft at 18,000 mph.
52 Articles
52 Articles
Suspected burning space junk found by mine workers in Australia
A piece of suspected space debris was found on Saturday, burning near a mine site in the Pilbara district of Western Australia. According to the Western Australia Police Force, some mine workers discovered the object burning near a remote access road on Saturday afternoon and reported it to authorities. "Initial assessments indicate the item was made of carbon fibre and may be a composite-overwrapped pressure vessel or rocket tank, consistent wi…
Mysterious debris found smouldering in Australian outback is likely from Chinese rocket, space agency says
A strange, smouldering metal object discovered in the Australian outback was probably a piece of a Chinese rocket that crashed in the area, the country’s space agency said.
Space Is Raining Junk, and It’s Getting Worse
A huge hunk of burning metal appeared in the Australian desert this past weekend, discovered by mine workers in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. Yesterday, the Australian Space Agency confirmed that the smoking wreckage smashed into Earth from space, writing on X that, “The debris is likely a propellant tank or pressure vessel from a space launch vehicle.” Nautilus Members enjoy an ad-free experience. Log in or Join now . Though …
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