Kenyan authorities are investigating the origins of a large metallic debris that fell from the sky and landed in Mukuku village, Makueni County, on December 30. The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) confirmed the object, a metallic ring measuring 2.5 metres in diameter and weighing around 500 kilograms, is believed to be part of a rocket.
Preliminary assessments suggest the object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle, typically designed to either burn up during re-entry or fall into uninhabited areas.
“The area was secured, and the debris retrieved for further analysis,” the KSA said in a statement, adding that the object posed no threat to public safety. Officials commended local villagers for promptly alerting authorities.
The agency is collaborating with other entities to trace the piece’s origin as part of its investigation.
The incident has highlighted growing concerns about space debris, which has become more prevalent with increasing space traffic.
Similar incidents have occurred worldwide. In 2022, a fragment of a SpaceX Dragon capsule landed on an Australian sheep farm. Earlier this year, an American family filed a lawsuit against NASA after space debris struck their Florida home.
NASA has criticised nations like China for their handling of space debris. China’s Long March rockets have faced scrutiny for uncontrolled re-entries, with parts falling back to Earth unpredictably.
The KSA emphasised the rarity of such incidents and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety.
