11-Foot Metallic Debris Found in Minnesota Cornfield Linked to Chinese Rocket
A metallic object measuring 11 feet in width, discovered in a cornfield close to Scott Township, Minnesota, is thought to be space debris, according to the Stevens County Sheriff's Office. On October 14, deputies were dispatched following a report, with Deputy Brian Swiontek providing images of the scorched metal fragment. The farmer approximated that the object had been present for around six weeks. There are serial numbers that might help trace its owner. Both state and federal agencies are involved in the inquiry and have confirmed that the debris does not pose a threat to the public. Ars Technica indicated it originates from a Chinese rocket launched on September 15. Additionally, an aluminum plate found in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, is under examination as a potential piece from another Zhuque-2E launched on October 14.
Key facts
- An 11-foot-wide metallic object was found in a cornfield near Scott Township in western Minnesota
- The Stevens County Sheriff's Office called it "presumably a space object" and said it poses no danger
- Deputies responded to a report on the afternoon of October 14, with a statement issued October 15
- The farmer estimated the object had been in the field about six weeks based on the corn beneath it
- Serial numbers on the debris could help identify its owner, according to USA Today
- Ars Technica reported the object matches the upper stage of a Zhuque-2E rocket by LandSpace
- The Zhuque-2E launched September 15 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center with 10 networking satellites
- A roughly 30-foot aluminum plate found in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, may be debris from another Zhuque-2E launched October 14
Entities
Artists
- Brian Swiontek
Institutions
- Stevens County Sheriff's Office
- USA Today
- Ars Technica
- LandSpace
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
- National Research and Innovation Agency
- PetaPixel
- Ring
Locations
- Minnesota
- United States
- Scott Township
- China
- Jiuquan
- Indonesia
- Central Kalimantan
- Borneo