A significant discovery has been made in the Pilbara desert of Western Australia, where a large burning object is believed to be space debris that reentered Earth’s atmosphere. The Western Australia Police Force announced that mine workers alerted emergency services on October 18, 2023, after spotting the mysterious object on a remote access road approximately 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) from the mining town of Newman.
Investigation Underway
The sighting has prompted a multi-agency investigation involving the Western Australia Police Force, the Australian Space Agency, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Although a definitive identification of the object has not yet been made, preliminary assessments suggest it may be part of a spacecraft. Alice Gorman, an Australian space archaeologist, speculated in an interview with The Guardian that it could be “the fourth stage of a Jieling rocket” launched by China in September.
According to a statement from the police force, “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.” This points to the object’s construction being similar to tanks used to contain high-pressure fluids in spacecraft. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has already discounted any links to commercial aircraft.
Rarity of Space Debris Recovery
Recovering space debris is uncommon due to a variety of measures designed to prevent orbiting technology from descending to Earth. These include planned controlled re-entries of obsolete spacecraft and the use of materials that burn up upon reentry, significantly reducing the likelihood of large fragments reaching the Earth’s surface. Given that much of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, substantial debris is more likely to land in the ocean than on land. In fact, a large piece of a spacecraft that fell into the ocean washed ashore on a Western Australia beach earlier in 2023.
The Australian Space Agency advises anyone who encounters a suspected piece of space debris not to touch it, as these objects can contain hazardous materials. Instead, individuals should contact local emergency services, who will evaluate the object and trace its origins.
At this time, the specific spacecraft involved in this incident remains unidentified, but authorities have secured the object and confirmed that there is no immediate threat to public safety, according to the Western Australia Police Force. As investigations continue, more information is expected to emerge regarding this intriguing find in the Australian desert.
