Mystery Object Washed on Australian Shore Confirmed as Part of ISRO’s PSLV

SYDNEY: The Australian Space Agency confirmed on Monday that the mysterious metal cylinder that was found washed up on an Australian beach in Western Australia two weeks ago is most likely to be debris from an expended third stage part of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), operated by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

It went on to add that, “PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation”.

The space agency went on X (formerly Twitter) to say, “We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third-stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by ISRO.”

It was a day after the object surfaced on the Australian beach on July 16 that the ISRO had confirmed the object to be a part of PSLV upper stage but very likely an old and used one.

At the time, ISRO chairman S Somanath had said, “This is a part of PSLV upper stage but an old one. It is not from a recent mission, it must be older." PSLV's third stage is a solid rocket motor that provides upper stages high thrust after the atmospheric phase of launch.

On Monday, the Australian Space Agency informed that the debris will be kept in storage, while it was working with the ISRO to work out the next steps, including consideration of its obligations that come under the purview of United Nations space treaties.

“The Australian Space Agency is committed to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including debris mitigation, and continues to highlight this on the international stage,” it further said.

The appearance of the object had led to frenzy on social media, with people putting forth speculations about the origins of the debris. It was further compounded by the fact that its appearance also coincided with the timing of the launch of the ISRO moon mission Chandrayaan 3, which had set off to space on July 14.

Meanwhile, experts explained that the detached rocket components do not pose any danger and are usually left behind after the space launch by all major space agencies. The parts of the rocket are built to detach during different stages, when its role in the mission is completed. Agencies usually plan carefully well in advance about the area where these objects should land so that they don't pose any threat to people, mostly in water. Sometimes, they don't according to plan and land some way off.

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