SpaceX Rocket Debris Crashes in Poland After Uncontrolled Reentry
A Falcon 9 rocket's second stage failed to deorbit properly, scattering debris across Poland and neighboring regions without causing injuries.
- A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched on February 1 experienced an uncontrolled reentry over Poland on February 19, leaving debris scattered across the region.
- Large pieces of debris, including a 5-by-3-foot pressure vessel, were found near Poznan, Poland, and are being investigated by the Polish Space Agency (POLSA).
- The reentry created visible fireballs in the skies over Poland, Germany, and Ukraine, with no reported injuries or property damage.
- Experts believe a failure in the rocket's second stage engine or controls prevented a controlled descent into the ocean, as is standard procedure.
- The incident underscores growing concerns about the risks of space debris reentering Earth's atmosphere, with calls for stricter measures to ensure safe reentries.