Mysterious debris found on Queensland beaches could be ‘space balls’, may contain toxic rocket fuel

Australian Space Agency working to confirm origin of objects as space archaeologist says that they may be connected to a rocket launch

Six pieces of suspected space debris have wash­ed up on beaches near Forrest Beach in Queensland, prompting an investigation by the Australian Space Agency, Guardian reported on Sunday.

Queensland Fire Dept officials said five spherical objects had been secured in drums, while a sixth was being made safe. Police said there was no danger to the community but warned the objects could contain hazardous chemicals.

The Australian Space Agency said it was working with police and the National Emergency Management Ag­ency to determine the nature and origin of the debris.

Associate Professor Alice Gorman, a space archaeologist at Flinders University, said the objects resembled pressurised titanium fuel vessels, commonly known as “space balls”, which can survive rocket re-entry. She said they may contain traces of toxic hydrazine fuel, although it was also possible the objects were marine in origin. Gorman added that the “space balls” are among the most common pieces of space debris found on Earth. More debris could wash ashore in the coming days, officials  said.