Debris believed to be from a Chinese space launch vehicle has fallen at a palm oil farm in Indonesia, prompting local authorities to investigate.
On October 20, the Jakarta Post reported that a large, burnt metal plate measuring approximately 9 meters was discovered at a palm oil farm in East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan.
The debris was first spotted by farm workers on the morning of October 19, with its surface charred in several places. The following day, an additional dome-shaped metal fragment was found nearby. Residents reported hearing a loud noise in the sky on the evening of October 18.
The crash site is located about 3 kilometers from the workers' housing area, but fortunately, it fell during the night when the workers had already left, preventing any injuries or damage to property. Local authorities confirmed there was no risk of radiation or toxic chemical leaks.
The Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) announced that analysis of orbital tracking data suggests the debris is likely from the Zhuque-2E rocket, launched by the Chinese private space company LandSpace. The rocket, which carried ten satellites, was launched from northwestern China and is confirmed to have passed over Kalimantan from north to south during its ascent.
Local police and military authorities have cordoned off the crash site and are transporting the recovered debris to Iskandar Air Force Base in Pangkalan Bun for official technical examination and final identification.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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