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US space rocket debris found in sea off Scilly | US space rocket debris found in sea off Scilly |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A large chunk of an American space rocket has been found in the sea off the Isles of Scilly. | A large chunk of an American space rocket has been found in the sea off the Isles of Scilly. |
A large section of a spacecraft, measuring about 10m (32ft) by 4m (13ft), was spotted on the surface between Bryher and Tresco. | A large section of a spacecraft, measuring about 10m (32ft) by 4m (13ft), was spotted on the surface between Bryher and Tresco. |
Coastguards believe it is from the unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 which exploded after take-off in Florida in June. | Coastguards believe it is from the unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 which exploded after take-off in Florida in June. |
Local boatmen towed the section to Tresco where it is under guard on the beach. | Local boatmen towed the section to Tresco where it is under guard on the beach. |
Joseph Thomas, from Tresco Boat Services, found the section of rocket while travelling around the north end of the island. | |
He said: "There were lots of gulls on the water and I thought initially it was a dead whale and the birds were feeding off it." | |
Mr Thomas found the debris at about 14:00 GMT on Thursday about 100m (328ft) from the shore. | |
"I didn't know what it was. We tried to drag it ashore using a hook, but it bent it," he said. | |
"It was too heavy for us to tow." | |
Coastguards issued a warning to shipping in the area after the discovery. | |
Spokesman Martin Leslie said: "The markings show an American flag. It looks like it's an American rocket and seems most likely to be the unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June. | Spokesman Martin Leslie said: "The markings show an American flag. It looks like it's an American rocket and seems most likely to be the unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June. |
"We're grateful for all those who helped in its recovery, it was a great example of the community working together." | "We're grateful for all those who helped in its recovery, it was a great example of the community working together." |
The rocket, which broke up shortly after take-off and landed in the sea about 4,100 miles from the Isles of Scilly, was in the process of sending a cargo ship to the International Space Station. | The rocket, which broke up shortly after take-off and landed in the sea about 4,100 miles from the Isles of Scilly, was in the process of sending a cargo ship to the International Space Station. |
Islander Pete Hicks, who towed the debris to shore, tweeted: "Towed in and beached a piece of flotsam earlier. Thoughts were could be aviation parts ..didnt imagine space race." | Islander Pete Hicks, who towed the debris to shore, tweeted: "Towed in and beached a piece of flotsam earlier. Thoughts were could be aviation parts ..didnt imagine space race." |
Cornwall-based Michelin chef Nathan Outlaw tweeted: "Look at all those goose neck barnacles! How much do you want for them. Make a great special!" |