Debris from a US SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has washed up on Britain’s shores
Part of a rocket that took off from the US earlier this year has travelled across the Atlantic and ended up on the shores of the Scilly Isles.
Bearing markings of the American flag, the 10m by 4m piece of metal has been identified as belonging to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which blew up moments after launching from Cape Canaveral in Florida in June.
The unmanned rocket was heading for the International Space Station (ISS) when it experienced a fault on ascent, causing it to explode mid-air.
Read more: SpaceX is getting ready to launch its Falcon Heavy – the world's most powerful operational rocket
Five months later, coastguards patrolling off the mainland near Cornwall spotted the piece of debris floating between the islands of Bryher and Tresco. They rescued it from the sea and it is now being held on the beach at Tresco.
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…"
We're grateful for all those who helped in its recovery – it was a great example of the community working together.