Fact Check: Is Mystery Object On Australian Beach From Chandrayaan-3 Spacecraft?

New Delhi: A mysterious object was found on the coast of Green Head in Western Australia, leading to speculation whether it was from India’s Chandrayaan-3.

India’s third lunar mission was launched three days ago, aboard the country’s heaviest rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-III.

The LMV-3 was visible in Australian skies as the trajectory passed over the continent.

Now that an object has washed ashore an Australian beach, social media is abuzz with theories that it could be one of the spent stages of LVM-3.

Some feel that it could be from an old PSLV launch from India.

There has been no word from Indian space agency ISRO so far.

Australian Space Agency (ASA) said it was making enquiries about the object.

“We are currently making inquiries related to this object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia. The object could be from a foreign space launch vehicle and we are liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide more information,” Australian Space Agency tweeted.

Advising locals to keep away from the unknown object, ASA further stated: “If the community spot any further suspected debris, they should report it to local authorities and notify the Australian Space Agency. We are committed to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including debris mitigation, and continue to highlight this on the international stage.”

The mysterious object is reportedly 2 metres high and nearly 2 metres wide, sparking thoughts among experts that it was from third stage of a rocket. The boosters and stages of the spacecraft are dumped in the sea for safety of people on land and a precise zone is selected before launch to ensure smooth debris mitigation.