BRIN traces Sampit space object to China’s satellite-launch rocket

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has clarified that a mysterious object found at a palm oil plantation in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, was likely debris from a Chinese space rocket.

BRIN astrophysicist Thomas Djamaluddin said here on Wednesday that the object re-entered the atmosphere on Sunday (Oct. 18) before being discovered in Sampit, East Kotawaringin District, the following day.

“Based on the orbital data we tracked, the remnant of a ZhuQue-2E rocket passed from north to south over Kalimantan on Oct. 18, 2023. At around 5:36 p.m. local time, its trajectory was near Sampit,” he said.

Djamaluddin added that residents reported hearing a rumbling sound at around the same time.

“The data indicated that it was the rocket’s final orbital trajectory before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. The alignment between the trajectory timing and residents’ reports strongly suggests that the object found in Sampit was part of the ZhuQue-2E rocket debris,” the researcher remarked.

ZhuQue-2E is a satellite launch vehicle developed by Chinese commercial aerospace company LandSpace.

The rocket uses methalox propulsion, which combines liquid oxygen and liquid methane to improve propulsion efficiency.

According to Xinhua, the rocket carried 10 satellites from the Dongfeng launch site in China on Oct. 14.

“After accomplishing its mission, the rocket’s spent stages may continue orbiting Earth for some time. Over time, atmospheric drag gradually lowers their orbital altitude until they eventually re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere,” Djamaluddin said.

Despite the compelling orbital data, he emphasized that physical examinations remain necessary to verify whether the components and materials of the recovered object match the rocket’s official specifications.