A large piece of suspected space debris was discovered in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, the Australian Space Agency confirmed on Monday (October 20). The charred and smoldering object, likely a propellant tank or pressure vessel from a space launch vehicle, was found by mine workers near Newman, approximately 18 miles east of the mining town.
The discovery sparked a multi-agency investigation involving the Australian Space Agency, WA Police, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Initial assessments suggest the object is made of carbon fiber, consistent with aerospace components. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau ruled out the possibility of the object originating from a commercial aircraft.
The object was discovered on Saturday (October 18) and does not pose a threat to public safety. The Australian Space Agency is working with global counterparts to determine the exact nature and origin of the debris.
Dr. Alice Gorman, a space archaeologist from Flinders University, suggested the debris might be from a Chinese rocket called Jielong, which launched in late September. She explained that such objects often return to Earth in an uncontrolled manner, making it difficult to predict where they might land.
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