Australia: The Australian Space Agency has stated that a mysterious object that washed ashore on an Australian beach has been identified as debris from an Indian rocket.
The barnacle-encrusted device, which is about the size of a small car, was found in mid-July at Green Head, a town about 250 kilometers north of Perth, the capital of Western Australia.
Several people have speculated online that the object might have a military origin or even be linked to the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
The agency stated that it had concluded the object was “most likely debris from an expended third stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).”
“The Indian Space Research Organization operates the medium-lift launch vehicle,” the statement noted.
The object, which measures some 2 meters (6.6 feet) high and has cables dangling from the top, is being kept in storage.
“Officials from both countries are working together to provide further confirmation to determine next steps, including considering obligations under the United Nations space treaties”, the statement added.
It is not the first time Australia has found itself a landing ground for space junk.
In August 2022, a sheep farmer in New South Wales found a charred chunk from one of Mr. Elon Musk’s SpaceX missions jutting out of his paddock.
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