Possible SpaceX Rocket Debris Found on Oregon Coast

by | Apr 11, 2021 | News

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Well there's something you don't see every day... Apparently, last Friday, the Lincoln County Sheriffs reported they found what appears to be charred debris from the Falcon X rocket. As many of you reading this probably recall, at the end of March the rocket made a glorious appearance in the skies and was spotted in multiple places on the west coast. The debris has been found after reportedly another piece of the rocket was recovered in eastern Washington recently.

An astrophysicist, Jonathan McDowell, at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said the Falcon 9 second stage from the March 4 Starlink launch failed to make a deorbit burn as it entered Earth’s atmosphere. More than 100 SpaceX rockets have been shot into orbit since 2010.

According to the sheriff's office, the chunk of fuel container-like debris washed up in the was recovered in Waldport after washing up in the Alsea Bay. Around 3:15 p.m. Friday, April 9, deputies responded and set up an exclusion perimeter while officials assessed the object and any possible hazards. A local fisherman had removed the debris and stored it inside a local business.

Lincoln County Sheriffs

“Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue responded to the scene and determined the object was not an immediate hazardous materials threat,” the county said. “After further consultation with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, SpaceX was contacted.”

While it was not confirmed by SpaceX if the object was from their rocket, the sheriff's office did note it was consistent with a composite overwrapped pressure vessel.

“The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office thanks Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and SpaceX for their rapid response to this incident,” the office said.


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Written By Tyler James

Tyler James, founder of That Oregon Life, is a true Oregon native whose love for his state runs deep. Since the inception of the blog in 2013, his unbridled passion for outdoor adventures and the natural beauty of Oregon has been the cornerstone of his work. As a father to two beautiful children, Tyler is always in pursuit of new experiences to enrich his family’s life. He curates content that not only reflects his adventures but also encourages others to set out and create precious memories in the majestic landscapes of Oregon. Tyler's vision and guidance are integral to his role as publisher and editor, shaping the blog into a source of inspiration for exploring the wonders of Oregon.

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