Mysterious Spheres Found In Australia Are Likely Space Debris (nytimes.com) 16
An anonymous reader quotes a report from the New York Times: An Australian beach community was confused -- and later delighted -- by the discovery of six metallic-looking spheres that washed ashore last week. The mystery, and the ensuing attention, prompted a bunch of alien jokes from local residents and businesses. But Australia's space agency put the speculation to rest on Monday, saying that the spheres appeared to be rocket debris that had recently re-entered the atmosphere from orbit.
The objects were found on Forrest Beach in the northeastern state of Queensland over the weekend, the state's fire department said. Residents described them as being about twice the size of a basketball. "The recovered objects appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle," the Australian Space Agency said in a statement, adding that they were "consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body." The agency said that it had identified the likely source of the objects, without providing further details, and was working with international authorities to confirm the vehicle from which the debris originated.
The objects were found on Forrest Beach in the northeastern state of Queensland over the weekend, the state's fire department said. Residents described them as being about twice the size of a basketball. "The recovered objects appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle," the Australian Space Agency said in a statement, adding that they were "consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body." The agency said that it had identified the likely source of the objects, without providing further details, and was working with international authorities to confirm the vehicle from which the debris originated.
Re: (Score:2)
Maybe it crashed into an alien space craft?
When you look at the situation closely, this seems like the only plausible explanation. The alien juice on the sphere is what kept the barnacles off.
Huh?? (Score:2)
Kinda terrifying (Score:2)
Re:Kinda terrifying (Score:4, Insightful)
Given how quiet the Aussies have been about the source of the debris, it's probably from a Chinese launch. Their junk has been landing all over the place:
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/i... [asiaone.com]
Re: (Score:2)
"We're not saying it was the Chinese ... but it was the Chinese."
Re: (Score:2)
But if these fell off an existing satellite
Things don't fall out of satellites. But the whole satellite could fall out of orbit and the sphere inside might have "hatched" out of the burning shell.
Spaceballs (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Yikes (Score:3)
If you find space balls stay away from them. They were once filled with things like hydrazine or other caustic materials and might still have a little pressure left in them along with their contents.
Do not taunt ... (Score:2)
Missing 7th ball (Score:2)
Find it, and the ring will be complete! Australia's global dominance is at hand!