A mysterious barnacle-encrusted object which is the size of a small car, discovered on an Australian beach has been acknowledged as debris from an Indian rocket. The object was found in mid-July at a town called Green Head, about 250 km north of Perth, the capital of Western Australia https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/31/mystery-device-on-australian-beach-identified-as-debris-from-indian-rocket
When contacted by PTI, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) although sources confirmed receipt of a formal communication from the Australian Space Agency, they had not provided the details. It has presently been determined by The Australian Space Agency that it is likely to be debris from the third stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The object identified as debris from an Indian rocket, is being kept in storage while officials from both countries work together to confirm its origin and determine the next steps. It was even theorized before that the dome-shaped object washed up amid speculation was that it could be from a 20-year-old Indian rocket that was used for launching a satellite.
The bizarre-looking object had even been declared a piece of space junk. The copper-coloured colossal cylinder, which appears to be damaged at one end and stands taller than a human, is covered with barnacles, indicating that a significant amount of time had been spent at sea before it washed up.
Some even theorised that the debris could have come from a specific mission – PSLV-CA C46 – which was launched in May 2019 which could have dropped some debris in the ocean to Australia’s north-west and south-east.
Curious locals who collected around the object posed for photographs before the police arrived and cordoned off the area. After conducting an investigation The Australian Space Agency concluded that the object was “most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)”.
The object measuring approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) high has cables dangling from the top. It is being currently kept in storage while officials from both Australia and India work together to determine the next steps, and provide further confirmation including considering obligations under the United Nations space treaties, according to the Australian Space Agency.
The agency confirmed that the object found on the beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia matches the characteristics of debris from the PSL medium-lift launch vehicle operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Space debris is becoming a growing concern as more countries and private companies launch rockets and satellites into space. Efforts are being made to develop technologies that are able to remove space junk and establish international guidelines for responsible space exploration and debris management.
The collaboration of the Australian Space Agency with the Indian Space Research Organisation demonstrates the commitment of both nations to ensuring the safety and sustainability of space activities, which they can share knowledge and expertise by working together, to address the challenges posed by space debris.
It is essential for nations and organizations to work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities as space exploration and technology advances become more accessible. We can safeguard the future of space exploration and maintain a clean and safe space environment for generations to come only through international cooperation and responsible practices.
The agency added that the Indian Space Research Organization operates the medium-lift launch vehicle.
It is not the first time Australia has found itself a landing ground for space junk as last August, a sheep farmer in New South Wales found a charred chunk from one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX missions jutting out of his paddock.
