Franklin, North Carolina – Residents in Franklin, North Carolina, were surprised when they discovered a piece of space debris believed to be from a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The artifact, part of the trunk section of the spacecraft, was found charred and covered in carbon fiber weaving. It was too heavy for one person to carry and left many in awe of its close encounter with space technology.
The trunk section, which is used to carry cargo and powered by solar panels during flight, was jettisoned before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. While NASA expected the trunk to burn up completely, the recent findings suggest that some parts of the spacecraft may survive the intense journey.
In addition to the large chunk found in Franklin, smaller pieces of debris were discovered in residents’ yards in nearby towns. NASA reassured the public that there were no reports of structural damage or injuries caused by the debris findings.
This incident comes after other instances of space debris falling in different locations. A similar piece of suspected trunk debris from SpaceX was found in Canada, and debris from a supply mission fell over Saudi Arabia. This highlights the challenges of dealing with space debris as space launches become more frequent.
NASA advised people who encounter space debris they suspect to be from SpaceX to contact the company’s debris hotline for assistance. Despite the recent findings, a Crew Dragon capsule, with its trunk section attached, is currently stationed at the International Space Station, expected to return to Earth with its crew later in the summer.
The agency plans to collaborate with SpaceX to explore additional solutions based on what has been learned from the discovered debris. Both NASA and SpaceX are committed to ensuring the safety of the public, astronauts, and ground crews in all their space operations.
As for the piece of space debris found in North Carolina, it is now on display at The Glamping Collective, sparking curiosity and fascination among visitors. The artifact serves as a reminder of the incredible journey taken by spacecraft, launching from Earth, venturing into outer space, and returning with pieces that find their way back to Earth’s surfaces, intriguing those who come across them.