Space Agency Suggests Mystery Object Found in Western Australia May Be Debris from a Foreign Space Launch
A peculiar metallic cylinder has washed ashore on Green Head Beach in Western Australia, sparking curiosity and confusion among local residents and authorities.
The unidentified golden-hued object, approximately 2.5 meters wide and between 2.5 to 3 meters in length, was discovered by locals about 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Perth.
Western Australia Police confirmed that assessments by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Western Australian Chemical Centre deemed the object safe, posing no threat to the community. Authorities, however, have urged the public to keep their distance as investigations continue.
Initial findings suggest the object is unlikely to be linked to a commercial aircraft. The Australian Space Agency speculated that it might be debris from a “foreign space launch vehicle” and is coordinating with international agencies to determine its origin.
Possible Rocket Fuel Tank
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas suggested in an interview with the BBC that the object could be a fuel tank from a rocket that fell into the Indian Ocean sometime last year.
Locals first noticed the object over the weekend, with around 30 people gathering at the beach to examine it. Resident Garth Griffiths recounted how a local couple found it floating at the water’s edge and towed it ashore with their 4×4 vehicle.
Describing the scene as a community event, Griffiths noted, “It was a great social evening—kids building sandcastles while everyone gathered around in curiosity.”
The object is said to be semi-cylindrical and made of lightweight carbon fiber material, commonly referred to as “lightweight resin.”
Western Australia Police stated that they have secured the object to preserve any potential evidence and facilitate further forensic examination.
