NASA’s Identification
NASA has identified the roughly 3-foot piece as part of the “trunk” or service module of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which returned four astronauts to Earth from the International Space Station on March 12.
Source: The Glamping Collective
The trunk, located at the base of the Crew Dragon spacecraft beneath the astronauts’ seats, is used to carry cargo and is covered in solar panels that provide power during the flight and while on the station.
Not Expected to Re-enter Earth
This section of the spacecraft is jettisoned shortly before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Source: Wikimedia
NASA expected the trunk to burn up completely in the atmosphere, but the discovery of this piece, along with others, suggests some parts can survive the re-entry.
No Comment Yet
SpaceX has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Source: The Glamping Collective
The debris Clontz found was charred and covered in carbon fiber weaving.
Like on TV
Weighing about 90 pounds, it was too large and awkward for one person to carry.
Source: DC Studio, Freepik
Clontz was initially uncertain if it was safe to touch, remarking, “It’s just something that you don’t normally see. I’ve seen spaceships and stuff on TV, but the average person doesn’t get to see it up close.”
Extra Debris Nearby
Smaller debris pieces were also found in two residents’ yards in nearby towns, according to local reports.
Source: SpaceX
NASA stated it was “unaware of any structural damage or injuries resulting from these findings.”
Belonging to SpaceX
The debris originated from SpaceX’s Crew-7 mission, which launched on August 26, 2023, and returned after a six-month stint at the space station.
Source: Wikimedia
Last month, another piece of suspected trunk debris from a different SpaceX mission was found in a farmer’s field in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Not an Isolated Incident
An uncrewed SpaceX mission to deliver supplies to the space station also resulted in debris falling over Saudi Arabia.
Source: NASA/SpaceX/Wikimedia Commons
Additionally, debris from a Crew Dragon trunk landed in Colorado last year, with a similar incident occurring in 2022 in Australia.
Devastating to Florida Home
In March, a 1.6-pound piece of metal space debris, not from a SpaceX vehicle, tore through a home in Naples, Florida.
Source: NASA
This piece came from a cargo pallet intentionally released from the International Space Station.
NASA Sued
The Florida family whose home was damaged is suing NASA, alleging emotional stress caused by the incident.
Source: Otero Family/CBS News; NASA
Jimi Russell, a NASA public affairs officer, stated that it “would not be appropriate for NASA to comment on a pending claim.”
More Space Launches, More Risks
It is common for space agencies and companies to let defunct hardware burn up in the atmosphere, but occasionally some pieces survive re-entry. Although rare for space debris to land in populated areas, the recent incidents raise concerns about the growing risk as space launches increase.
Source: SpaceX/Wikimedia Commons
Currently, a Crew Dragon capsule with its trunk section attached is parked at the International Space Station. This spacecraft is expected to return to Earth with its crew later this summer. NASA plans to work with SpaceX to explore “additional solutions as we learn from the discovered debris.”
Debris Displayed
The space debris chunk found by Clontz is now displayed at The Glamping Collective behind a glass case. Clontz mentioned that neither SpaceX nor NASA has asked to retrieve it yet.
Source: The Glamping Collective
“Every time I go look at it, I think how cool it is,” he said. “To think that it launched from Florida, went to outer space and came back down and a piece of it flew off right over North Carolina is pretty cool.”