The mysterious metal cylinder that washed up on an Australian beach two weeks ago was most likely debris from an expended third stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Australian Space Agency confirmed on Monday. “PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation,” it said.
“We have concluded the object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia is most likely debris from an expended third stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is a medium-lift launch vehicle operated by ISRO,” the space agency tweeted.
A day after the object surfaced on July 16, the ISRO had confirmed to the news agencies that the object was indeed a part of PSLV upper stage but an old one.
ISRO chairman S Somanath had said, “This is a part of PSLV upper stage but an old one. It is not from a recent mission; it must be older.” PSLV’s third stage is a solid rocket motor that provides upper stages high thrust after the atmospheric phase of launch.
The Australian Space Agency stated that the debris would be kept in storage and that it was collaborating with the ISRO to decide the next steps, including examining commitments under United Nations space treaties.
“The Australian Space Agency is committed to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including debris mitigation, and continues to highlight this on the international stage,” it further said.