SpaceX Falcon-9: Debris from Elon Musk’s doomed rocket washes up off Isles of Scilly

The unmanned craft launched five months ago from Cape Canaveral in Florida

Josh Barrie
Friday 27 November 2015 00:59 GMT
Comments
Space X's Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral in June
Space X's Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral in June (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The debris from one of Elon Musk’s doomed rockets has turned up on the quaint Isles of Scilly, just off the coast of Cornwall.

SpaceX Falcon-9 launched five months ago from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Now, it’s washed up in Cornish waters, spotted on the surface between the islands of Bryher and Tresco.

CEO and founder Elon Musk speaks at a SpaceX press conference (Getty)
CEO and founder Elon Musk speaks at a SpaceX press conference (Getty) (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

The American tech entrepreneur Musk is set on space tourism and is locked in a battle with Amazon owner Jeff Bezos in a new-age space race.

Billionaire Musk has seen success in his ventures to make affordable space travel a reality – yet some of his launches have gone wrong. In April, while the Dragon capsule reached the International Space Station, its rocket didn’t quite land on the intended ocean platform.

Elon Musk comments on Falcon 9 explosion

The SpaceX Falcon-9 wasn’t manned or piloted.

It wasn’t the entire rocket that was discovered on the Isles of Scilly – only a large section of alloy measuring 10m by 4m was recovered - and it is being held on the beach at Tresco.

The debris was apparently found by a coastguard patrol. It was picked up with the help of a local professional boatman.

Martin Leslie, coastal area commander for the coastguard, said: "The markings show an American flag. It looks like it's an American rocket and seems most likely to be the unmanned SpaceX Falcon-9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June.

"We're grateful for all those who helped in its recovery - it was a great example of the community working together."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in