Canberra, Australia — Authorities are currently investigating the origins of a cylindrical object found washed up on a remote beach in Australia. The object, roughly the size of a small car, was discovered on Green Head beach, located about 155 miles north of Perth, late Sunday. Upon discovery, the barnacle-encrusted object was immediately cordoned off by the police for further examination.
The Australian Space Agency has been in contact with international space agencies in an effort to identify the object, which appears to be made partially of woven material. In a tweet, the agency stated, “The object could potentially be from a foreign space launch vehicle, and we are collaborating with our global counterparts to gather more information.”
European Space Agency engineer, Andrea Boyd, has suggested that the object may have fallen from an Indian rocket during a satellite launch. “Based on its shape and size, we are quite confident that it is an upper-stage engine from an Indian rocket, which is used in many different missions,” she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Responsibility for the removal of the object lies with whoever launched it into space. Boyd explained, “According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, there is an Outer Space Treaty in place that holds the launching party responsible for the object until its journey concludes.”
The Indian Space Research Organization has not yet commented on the discovery. On Monday, the Western Australia Police released a statement confirming that government chemical analysis determined the object to be safe, with no immediate risk to the community. Earlier, authorities treated the object as hazardous and advised the public to keep their distance.
Once the object’s origin is formally identified, the police will arrange for its removal. “The police will ensure the object’s security until it is removed, and the public is requested to stay away from the area,” the statement said. Initial speculation linking the object to MH370, the Malaysian Airlines flight that disappeared in the Indian Ocean in 2014, has been discredited. Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas stated, “It appears to be a possible fuel tank from a rocket launched within the past year that fell into the Indian Ocean. There is no chance that it is part of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777.”
Locals gathered to take photos with the object before the arrival of the police on Sunday. Astrophysicist and cosmologist Brad Tucker from the Australian National University described the object as “definitely space chunky.” Tucker also warned that the upper stage of a rocket could contain the carcinogenic fuel hydrazine and advised bystanders to maintain a safe distance.
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