An image of a giant, unidentified object is being widely shared on social media, with claims that the debris reported to have fallen from the sky in Australia is linked to the recently launched Chandrayaan-3. The post further claims that ISRO has confirmed it to be the third stage of a PSLV rocket that launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon in 2019. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: ISRO confirmed that the debris that was found in an Australian beach was third stage of a PSLV rocket that launched the Chandrayaan-3.
Fact: The Chandrayaan-3 (2023) mission utilized the GSLV Mk III (LVM3) launch vehicle. Neither ISRO nor the Australian Space Agency (ASA) have confirmed that the rocket debris belongs to the recently launched Chandrayaan-3. ASA is currently coordinating with international counterparts to determine its origins. Moreover, aviation experts believe that the debris may belong to a rocket launched a few months ago, if not years, as evidenced by the extensive barnacle covering its surface. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Firstly, contrary to the claim made in the post, according to the official website of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the launch vehicle used in Chandrayaan-1 (2008) was PSLV-C11. On the other hand, Chandrayaan-2 (2019) and the Chandrayaan-3 (2023) missions utilized the GSLV Mk III (LVM3) launch vehicles.
Regarding the image of the unidentified object shared in the viral post, Australian media reported that a large unidentified item was discovered on the beach in Green Head, located 250km north of Perth, on 16 July 2023. Subsequently, the Australian Space Agency (ASA) tweeted that they are actively making inquiries concerning the object and stated that it might be from a foreign space launch vehicle, and they are currently coordinating with international counterparts who may have additional information on the matter.
However, since Chandrayaan-3 was launched just a few days earlier on 14 July 2023, social media users have speculated that this unidentified object could be a part of the Indian Lunar mission or another Indian rocket. In an interview with BBC, S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, stated that the object was indeed a part of a rocket but may or may not be of Indian origin. He further emphasized that a definitive confirmation regarding whether it belongs to a PSLV or any other space launch vehicle cannot be made without visual inspection and analysis.
Mr. Somanath did, however, confirm that some of the PSLV parts are known to have fallen into the sea beyond Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. He also mentioned that the object might have been adrift for an extended period before eventually reaching the shore. Moreover, aviation experts believe that the debris may belong to a rocket that was launched a few months ago, if not years, as evidenced by the extensive barnacle covering its surface.
Additionally, on 19 July 2023, the ASA tweeted that they have determined the object to be most likely a solid rocket motor casing and are in the process of identifying its type and origin. This article will be updated as soon as the required information becomes available.
To sum it up, neither the Indian nor Australian space agencies have confirmed that the rocket debris found on the Australian beach belongs to the recently launched Chandrayaan-3.
