1.01.2025
Following the discovery of a heavy metallic object that fell from the skies and landed in Mukuku in Makueni County on Monday, December 31, last year, the government has finally responded to the circumstances surrounding the origin of the object.
The government, through the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), has clarified that the object, a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kg, fell from a space object.
The response comes amid speculation that has been rife on social media on the object that fell from the skies and landed in Mukuku Village, Mukuku Sublocation, Nduluku Location, Waia Division, Mbooni East Sub-County, Makueni County, on Monday at around 1500 hrs.
According to KSA, their preliminary investigations show that the fallen object might have come from a launch vehicle (rocket).
''The Agency wishes to clarify that the object, a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kg, is a fragment of a space object," the Kenya Space Agency stated.
Additionally, the agency added that scientists usually design the objects to fall over unoccupied areas after burning up, stating that they had launched investigations as to why it fell in such an area.
''Preliminary assessments indicate that the fallen object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle (rocket). Such objects are usually designed to burn up as they re-enter the Earth's atmosphere or to fall over unoccupied areas, such as the oceans,'' it added.
''This is an isolated case, which the Agency will investigate and address using the established framework under international space law.''
KSA also revealed that they had taken over the scene where the material fell, dispelling fears that were initially rife that residents were left to freely handle the object, oblivious of the harm it could potentially pose to them.
''On receipt of the information on the morning of Tuesday, 31 December 2024, KSA officials rushed to the scene and, working alongside a multi-agency team and local authorities, secured the area and retrieved the debris, which is now under the Agency's custody for further investigation,'' KSA stated.
''We want to assure the public that the object poses no immediate threat to safety. Our experts will analyse the object, use existing frameworks to identify the owner, and keep the public informed of the next steps and outcomes,'' KSA announced.
KSA equally urged the public to report any suspicious objects or unusual occurrences promptly to the relevant authorities, while thanking the affected residents for their prompt response to the incident.
According to eyewitnesses who observed the rare incident, the object is said to have fallen from space with a loud bang that transcended for kilometers.
Residents immediately arrived at the scene, and images shared on social media showed them handling the foreign object barehanded, oblivious of any danger it might have exposed them to.
A nano-satellite launched in the Space
Quelle: Kenyans.co.ke