Update: While the coast guard reported that the piece of a rocket found in the Isles of Scilly was from the failed Falcon 9 launch in June, some reddit sleuths have found identifying marks and features that indicate it is more likely a part of the discarded stages from CRS-4, a successful launch in September.
PDD’s original article is presented below.
Pieces of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that exploded shortly after take-off in June was found at sea off the coast of the United Kingdom.
According to the BBC, commercial boat crewman Joseph Thomas found the debris on Nov. 26. It was reported to the UK coastguard that afternoon.
The metal piece is about 10 meters by 4 meters wide and was found between the islands of Bryher and Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly off of the southwestern coast of England.
The Falcon 9 was en route from Cape Canaveral in Florida to the International Space Station with a Dragon cargo capsule. It landed in the Atlantic Ocean, where currents appear to have carried it 4,100 miles to the English islands.
The American flag and “Falcon 9” logo are visible on the piece of debris, which is also covered in what appear to be goose barnacles.
Coast Guard area commander Martin Leslie said, “The markings show an American flag. It looks like it’s an American rocket and is similar to the unmanned Space X Falcon 9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June.
“We’re grateful for all those who helped in its recovery – it was a great example of the community working together.”
The piece of debris is currently held under guard on the beach in the town of New Grimsby on Tresco. SpaceX has not commented on the find.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
