Mysterious hunk of debris washes up on Australia beach. Now it’s in a secret location
UPDATE: The Australian Space Agency has determined the object is “likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)“ operated by the Indian Space Research Organization. It remains in storage and the Australian Space Agency is working with ISRO “to determine next steps.”
The original story is below.
A chunk of machinery the size of a small elephant washed up on a remote Western Australia beach, and police are treating it as “hazardous” until an origin can be determined.
Among the possibilities is that it’s space debris of some kind, experts say.
“The investigation is ongoing, and until further information is available, we urge everyone to refrain from drawing conclusions,” the Western Australia Police Force said in a July 17 news release.
“In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation, officers from the Western Australia Police Force are currently guarding the object. ... People in the area should keep a safe distance.”
One theory circulating on social media is that it’s part of “a plane that went missing off the west Australian coast in 2014 with 239 passengers on board,” the BBC reports. However, investigators do not believe it came off a commercial aircraft.
The object is cylindrical, measuring at just over 8 feet across and about 10 feet long, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Beachgoers reported the puzzling find July 15 near Green Head, about 160 miles north of Perth, police said.
The Australian Space Agency is investigating and shared a photo showing the object sustained heavy damage. It also appears to have been floating long enough to have barnacles and other marine creatures attached to it.
“The object could be from a foreign space launch vehicle and we are liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide more information,” the space agency said in a tweet.
“As the origin of the object is unknown, the community should avoid handling or attempting to move the object.”
The agency is asking the public to be on the lookout for “any further suspected debris” that washes up in the area.
This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Mysterious hunk of debris washes up on Australia beach. Now it’s in a secret location."