EPHRATA, Washington (AP) – A piece of burning missile debris that skimmed over the Pacific Northwest sky last week crashed on a farm in eastern Washington state, authorities said.
After the March 25 event, a farmer discovered an almost intact piece of rocket in a private field, The Tri-City Herald reported.
The approximately 5-foot composite-wrapped pressure vessel used to store helium left a nearly 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) dent in the ground, Grant County sheriff spokesman Kyle Foreman said. No one was hurt, he said.
Roman Puzhlyakov via AP In this image, taken from Roman Puzhlyakov’s video, debris from a SpaceX rocket illuminates the sky behind clouds over Vancouver, Washington.
The National Weather Service in Seattle has said that the much-reported bright objects in the sky on March 25 were remnants of the second stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that left comet-like trails as they burned upon reentry to Earth’s atmosphere.
The farmer, whom authorities said did not want to be identified, suspected the debris may have come from the missile and left a message with the sheriff’s office this weekend, Foreman said. Delegates responded Monday and contacted SpaceX officials. SpaceX confirmed it was part of the rocket and has since recalled it, Foreman said.
The Falcon 9 is a reusable two-stage rocket designed by SpaceX to transport people and payloads in Earth’s orbit and beyond, according to the SpaceX website. It says there have been 111 launches and 71 landings.
Calling all HuffPost super fans!
Apply for membership to become a founding member and help shape the next chapter of HuffPost