A large burning object discovered in the Pilbara desert of Western Australia is likely space debris that reentered Earth’s atmosphere. The Western Australia Police Force reported that mine workers alerted emergency services after spotting the mysterious object on October 18, 2023, along a remote access road approximately 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) from the mining town of Newman. A multi-agency investigation is currently underway, involving the police, the Australian Space Agency, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Initial assessments indicate that the object may be part of a spacecraft. Australian space archaeologist Alice Gorman speculated that it could potentially be “the fourth stage of a Jieling rocket” launched by China in September. The Western Australia Police Force stated in a Facebook post, “Initial assessments suggest it’s made of carbon fiber and consistent with previously identified space debris, such as composite-overwrapped pressure vessels or rocket tanks.”
The police force also confirmed that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has ruled out any connection to commercial aircraft. Composite-overwrapped pressure vessels are tanks designed to contain high-pressure fluids in space vehicles, further supporting the hypothesis that the object is indeed space debris.
Recoveries of space debris are relatively rare, as numerous safeguards are in place to minimize the chances of orbiting technology landing on Earth. These include controlled re-entries for obsolete spacecraft and the use of materials that burn upon re-entry, preventing large fragments from reaching the ground. Additionally, since Earth’s surface is predominantly water, large debris is statistically more likely to land in oceans than on land. Notably, a significant piece of spacecraft debris washed ashore on a beach in Western Australia in 2023.
The Australian Space Agency advises that anyone who encounters a suspected piece of space debris should not touch it, as such objects may contain hazardous materials. Instead, individuals are urged to contact local emergency services, who will assess the situation and investigate the object’s origins.
Currently, it remains unknown which specific spacecraft the object may have originated from. Nevertheless, the police have secured the area, assuring the public that there is no immediate threat to safety. The situation is being closely monitored, and further information is expected to emerge as investigations continue.
