Australian Agency Traces 6 Queensland Space Balls to Foreign Rocket Debris
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
Australian Agency Traces 6 Queensland Space Balls to Foreign Rocket Debris
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
Summary
Six metal spheres recovered from Forrest Beach over Friday to Sunday were identified by the Australian Space Agency as likely pressure vessels from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered from orbit.
The agency said the objects' location and characteristics match launch-vehicle debris and it is working with international authorities to formally confirm the rocket and launching state.
Queensland police and fire crews had imposed 50-metre exclusion zones and handled the objects as potentially hazardous, but authorities now say the recovered debris is safe.
Under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the launching state retains ownership of the debris, meaning Australia may need to negotiate its return if that country wants the vessels back.
The agency warned more debris could still be found and told the public not to touch suspected space material, even though injuries from falling space junk are extremely rare.