Advertisement

Debris from failed SpaceX launch in Florida likely recovered in England

A piece of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that exploded after launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in June was found off the coast of Scilly, UK. Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Authorities in the United Kingdom have recovered what could be debris from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that exploded shortly after lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in June.

READ MORE: Does the loss of SpaceX rocket pose a danger to space industry?

“We always say we deal with a wide variety of search and rescue incidents – but it’s not often we recover USA space rocket debris,” the Maritime and Coastguard Agency wrote on its Facebook page.

Photos posted to social media show an American flag on the side of the debris with what appears to be the Falcon 9 logo.

The coastguard said that it received a report of debris on Thursday afternoon. A boat was dispatched and the large piece was taken to shore.

Story continues below advertisement
The distance between Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Scilly, UK. Google Maps

On June 28, the unmanned Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral on the way to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. Around two minutes and 19 seconds into the launch, the rocket broke apart.

WATCH: Footage of SpaceX rocket exploding after launch

SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk reported in July that the rocket’s loss was due to a faulty strut.

Story continues below advertisement

When contacted by Global News, SpaceX did not have an immediate comment.

Sponsored content

AdChoices