500 Kg Rocket Debris Crashes into Kenyan Village; KSA Probes Possible Link to India's SpaDEX Mission

Jan 2, 2025, 06:49 PM

On December 30, 2024, a metallic object weighing approximately 500 kilograms (over 1,000 pounds) and measuring about 2.5 meters (eight feet) in diameter crashed into Mukuku village in Makueni County, Kenya. The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) stated that the object is believed to be a separation ring from a rocket's launch vehicle. Local resident Joseph Mutua reported hearing a loud bang and then seeing the large circular object descending from the sky. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. local time, causing no injuries or significant damage. Authorities have launched an investigation into the origin of the debris, which did not burn up upon re-entry as expected. Preliminary assessments by the KSA suggest that the object may be linked to a recent rocket launch, possibly from India's Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEX) mission, though the exact source remains unidentified. While some reports indicated that Kenya might seek compensation from India over the incident, the KSA has issued a statement clarifying that no such notification has been made. The agency has reassured the public that the debris poses no immediate safety threat.