No, this isn’t the beginning of a pulpy sci-fi novel. On December 30th, a massive space object crashed into Mukuku, a remote village in Kenya. This red hot object careening from the sky prompted an immediate investigation by authorities.
The Kenya Space Agency has since taken custody of it for future study.
What is it?
“The Agency wishes to clarify that the object, a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kg is a fragment of a space object,” said the Kenya Space Agency in a statement made on January 1st. [So it’s about 8 feet wide and tipping the scales at almost 1,100 pounds.]
It is currently believed to be a separation ring from a rocket. Which is odd considering that most space debris falls into the ocean or burns up before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. While this is considered an isolated case, the agecey is still investigating the matter.
According to Mbooni Sub County Police Commander, Julius Rotich this object initially landed in some trees and brush and was still hot when police arrived on the scene. Residents had to be cordoned off from the area until it cooled down and could safely be handled.
Thankfully no one was harmed when the object hit earth, but residents were understandably startled. “I was looking after my cow and I heard a loud bang,” local resident Joseph Mutua, told Kenya’s NTV news channel. “I looked around; I could not see any smoke in the clouds. I went by the roadside to check if there was any car accident, but there wasn’t any collision.”
We’ll keep you posted on updates about this story as it develops.
