Mystery over metal ring entering Earth’s atmosphere and dropping from sky; investigation on | Watch video
Fragments of metal, suspected to be a rocket part, fell into a Kenyan village, prompting investigations. The KSA confirmed the object was not a threat and praised locals for their quick reporting. The incident highlights increasing concerns over space debris.
A mysterious piece of metal crashed into a Kenya village on December 30 at around 3:00 pm local time (1200 GMT), sparking curiosity among locals. The incident also raised safety concerns in the country's south. Officials from Kenya Space Agency (KSA) and local authorities have cordoned off the crash site, and experts have examined the object that has fallen from the sky, reported news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP).
About the metal ring which fell from sky
The metallic ring was roughly 2.5 metres (8 feet) in diameter and weighed around 500 kg. It is believed that the ring fell after being separated from a rocket minutes after its launch.
The metal ring crashed in Mukuku village in Makueni county of southern Kenya, reported AFP.
2.5 metres wide metal ring falls in Kenya from sky | Watch
As per the video shared by BBC News Africa, experts at the KSA are investigating the impact of the fallen metal ring on the area. The exact origin of the metal piece is also being investigated.
Investigation underway to find out metal object's origin
Kenyan officials said Wednesday they were investigating fragments of metal, believed to be from a rocket, that crashed into a village in the country's south.
The KSA, working alongside other agencies and local authorities, “secured the area and retrieved the debris, which is now under the Agency's custody for further investigation.”
Alarming rise of space trash
The incident has sparked fresh concerns around the rising amount of trash in space, with multiple rocket and satellite launches.
KSA said, “Preliminary assessments indicate that the fallen object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle,” which are designed to either burn up upon re-entry to Earth's atmosphere or fall over uninhabited areas.
"This is an isolated case, which the agency will investigate and address," the KSA said in a statement. The object was not a threat to public safety, said KSA and praised the prompt action by local residents in informing the authorities after the accident. The KSA said they were working to identify the piece's origin.
Previous examples of space debris hitting Earth
This is not the first time a space shuttle's separated part has hit the Earth's surface. Earlier, a part of Elon Musk-owned Space X's Dragon capsule fell on Earth's surface in a similar fashion. The part landed on an Australian sheep farm in 2022. Earlier this year, NASA faced a lawsuit from an American family whose Florida home was hit by a piece of falling metal.
Key Takeaways
- The incident highlights the growing issue of space debris and its potential risks to populated areas.
- Swift action by local residents can help ensure safety and prompt investigation in such unusual occurrences.
- Historical precedents indicate that falling space debris is not a rare event, and measures may be necessary to mitigate risks.
Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
Business NewsScienceNewsMystery over metal ring entering Earth’s atmosphere and dropping from sky; investigation on | Watch video
First Published:4 Jan 2025, 12:59 PM IST
- Top Gainers
- Top Losers
- 52 Week High