500-Kilogram Rocket Debris Falls in Makueni County, Kenya

Jan 1, 2025, 05:17 PM

A metallic object weighing approximately 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) and measuring 2.5 meters (8 feet) in diameter fell from the sky into Mukuku village, Makueni County, Kenya, on December 30, 2024, at around 3:00 PM local time. The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has identified the object as a separation ring from a rocket, which is typically designed to burn up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere or fall into uninhabited areas. The KSA, working with local authorities, secured the site and retrieved the debris for further investigation. The object poses no immediate threat to public safety, and efforts are underway to determine its origin under international space law. The agency commended the local residents for promptly reporting the incident. This isolated case has raised concerns about space debris and its potential impact on Earth.