An enormous fiery object fell from the sky in Western Australia, prompting an investigation led by the Western Australia Police and the Australian Space Agency to uncover its origins. On October 18, 2025, a charred piece of material, showing clear signs of having recently burned, was discovered along a remote road in the Pilbara desert, igniting a multi-agency inquiry.
The discovery was made by workers from BHP who found the still-smoldering object approximately 30 kilometers east of Newman, situated on a restricted-access road. The Western Australia Police confirmed that they activated a coordinated response involving the Australian Space Agency and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services upon receiving the report. The Australian Space Agency has raised concerns about the increasing dangers posed by orbital traffic.
According to initial analyses reported by The Guardian, the object appears to be primarily composed of carbon fiber, potentially resembling a high-pressure component used in space rockets, such as a pressurized fuel tank designed to withstand extreme conditions. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has ruled out any links to civilian aircraft or accidents, bolstering the theory of a space origin.
Sources from the investigation, as cited by DW, confirmed that the object has been secured and does not pose any public safety threat. The Australian Space Agency plans to conduct technical tests to ascertain its provenance.
Alice Gorman, a renowned space archaeologist and professor at Flinders University, told ABC Radio Perth and The Guardian that the design and timing of the find align with the characteristics of the fourth stage of a Jielong rocket launched by China in late September. “If this is indeed from that rocket, it likely remained in orbit for several weeks before an uncontrolled reentry,” Gorman explained. “There were no public predictions about its descent, making this event entirely unexpected.”
Currently, the investigation by the Western Australia Police remains open. Superintendent Les Andrews indicated to ABC News that determining the country of origin could take weeks or even months. “There are thousands of satellites and rocket stages in orbit. At this point, the country of origin is not the priority. What matters is ensuring safety and proper handling of the object,” Andrews stated.
The incident in Pilbara is not an isolated case. In July 2023, another piece of space debris, allegedly from an Indian rocket, was found along the coast of Green Head, about 250 kilometers north of Perth. The Australian Space Agency confirmed its foreign origin at that time, although the Indian government did not claim the piece. “This is the world we are starting to live in, where we need to look up and be aware of what is floating above us,” Gorman warned in discussions with ABC News.
Gorman emphasized that nations and companies launching rockets should have end-of-life plans for their space vehicles, directing reentries to safe zones like Point Nemo in the South Pacific, known as the “spacecraft cemetery.” However, many rocket stages are made from titanium or stainless steel alloys and coated with carbon fiber, allowing them to endure extreme temperatures during reentry. “While the design aims for complete incineration, these materials are so resilient that some fragments manage to reach the ground,” Gorman noted.
Although the likelihood of these remnants striking individuals or property is low, it is not impossible. Matt Woods, manager of the Perth Observatory, reminded DW of historical cases in the United States where meteorites penetrated roofs or damaged vehicles. “It”s extremely rare, but not impossible,” he cautioned.
Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), who recently attended the International Astronautical Congress in Australia, stated to The Guardian that space debris is already a “pressing global concern.” “The ESA has promoted a zero-waste charter to ensure that agencies and companies commit to deorbiting their satellites at the end of their operational lives,” Aschbacher explained.
Australian authorities reiterated that the object found in Pilbara poses no threat, but they advised the public to avoid handling any suspicious fragments. “Space debris may contain toxic or pressurized materials. The correct action is to immediately report any findings to the police or local emergency services,” the Australian Space Agency stated in a release.
