LONDON: Piece of a SpaceX rocket was recovered more than 4,000 miles from its launch site near the Isles of Scilly on Thursday, according to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The Falcon 9 rocket debris could be from the June 28 launch failure from Cape Canaveral, UK officials said in a news release. The SpaceX rocket exploded minutes after launch destroying 5,200 pounds of supplies, research and hardware destined for the International Space Station.
Falcon 9 rocket path from Cape Canaveral to Isles of Scilly
The 32-foot by 13-foot section was discovered by local boaters between Bryher and Tresco Islands, according to UK coastguard officials. The Isles of Scilly are located off the southwestern tip of Great Britain.
The Coastguard issued a warning to stop shipping to the area after the debris was discovered to be from a rocket. In June the U.S. Coast Guard instructed people not to touch any rocket debris after the explosion.
A piece of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the beach of Tresco, Isles of Scilly. The space debris was spotted by local boaters and towed in. (Tresco Island)
“The markings show an American flag. It looks like it’s an American rocket and is similar to the unmanned Space X Falcon 9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June,” said Coastal Area Commander Martin Leslie in a news release.
Joseph Thomas, with Tresco Boat Services first found the debris on the north end of Tresco Island, according to BBC.
The rocket panel was hauled along side a boat to nearby Tresco island, according to Pete Hicks, a local professional boater. The section was covered in thousands of goose barnacles, after clearing some off the Falcon 9 logo and an American flag was visible.
The space debris is currently secured on Tresco, according to Maritime officials.
SpaceX has yet to comment on the discovery or release information about plans for retrieving the Falcon 9 piece.
