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Fact check: Rocket debris found on Australian beach are of chandrayan-3

Fact check: Rocket debris found on Australian beach are of chandrayan-3
Fact check: Rocket debris found on Australian beach are of chandrayan-3

A mysterious object discovered off the coast of Green Head in Western Australia has sparked speculation about its origin, with some suggesting it could be from India’s recent Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission. Three days ago, India launched the mission with its heaviest rocket, the Mark-III Launch Vehicle (LMV-3), and Australian skies witnessed its trajectory as it passed over the continent.

Social media is abuzz with theories that the object washed ashore could be one of the depleted stages of the LMV-3 or possibly an old PSLV launch from India. However, there has been no official word from the Indian space agency, ISRO, regarding the discovery.

The Australian Space Agency (ASA) has taken an interest in the object and is investigating its origin. They have advised locals to stay away from the unknown object and report any other suspicious debris to local authorities and the Australian Space Agency.

Possible Chandrayaan-3 debris found in Australia

S Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has stated that the giant metal dome discovered on an Australian beach is unquestionably a component of a rocket, but he cannot confirm its association with India without conducting further analysis.

The Australian Space Agency also stated that the giant cylinder may have fallen from a “foreign space launch vehicle,” sparking speculation that it could be from a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) which ISRO regularly uses to launch satellites into space.

“We are currently making inquiries related to this object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia. The object could be from a foreign space launch vehicle and we are liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide more information,” Australian Space Agency tweeted.

Since ISRO recently used a PSLV to launch the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into orbit, some people connected the debris to that launch. However, experts noted that the object had been in the water for several months, as evidenced by its extensive barnacle cover.

Somanath clarified that there is “no mystery” about the object, confirming that “it is part of a rocket.” However, he stressed that without direct examination and analysis, they cannot definitively determine whether it is specifically from a PSLV or any other rocket. More research is required to conclusively determine its origin.

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