BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC (WLOS) — It’s been less than a week since NASA confirmed that debris found in western North Carolina came from the trunk of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, but the mountains aren’t the only place the debris fell.
NASA also confirmed that debris from the Axiom Mission 3 trunk landed in Saskatchewan, Canada in late February. The farmer found the pieces two months later.
“The farmer who found the first pieces couldn’t get anyone to believe it was space junk for a few weeks,” News 13 Dr. Samantha Lawler, associate professor of astronomy at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan.
Lawler was at that farm just a few weeks ago when SpaceX employees came to pick up the debris. They arrived in a U-Haul van and eventually identified themselves as SpaceX employees.
MAN WHO FINDS SPACEX DEBRIS IN BACKYARD REACTS TO NASA CONFIRMATION
“I actually jokingly said like ‘Oh yeah, they’re going to rent a U-Haul, and then they did.’ It was so much fun,” Lawler said.
Lawler is frustrated by the lack of accountability.
“The subtlety is that it’s not saying SpaceX, it’s saying NASA about SpaceX,” Lawler said. “So SpaceX still hasn’t publicly acknowledged that the pieces belong to them…the ones that fell in Saskatchewan. It’s really kind of a detour, a reverse kind of recognition.”
A press release sent by NASA exclusively to News 13 last week linked debris found across the WNC mountains and in Canada to SpaceX. So far, News 13 viewers who found pieces of the Crew-7 trunk said they have yet to be contacted by SpaceX.
“The space treaty obligates the U.S. government to provide compensation to anyone who suffers damage from a U.S. spacecraft, but it’s unclear whether SpaceX would have to reimburse the government,” Lawler said. “This is a completely gray area and will be tested. soon, I’m sure.”
CONFIRMED: STRANGE DEBRIS FOUND AROUND WNC PART OF SPACEX SPACECRAFT
According to Lawler, SpaceX voluntarily paid several thousand Canadian dollars to a farmer in Saskatchewan. Lawler said that since there was no damage or injury in this case, SpaceX didn’t have to do that.
With another Dragon spacecraft currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS), the question shifts to how to prevent debris from falling back into population centers. To manage de-orbit, Lawler said it will require money and regulation.
Another engine or rocket would have to be added, which she said would add weight and a greater chance of failure. Basically, it’s complicated. But Lawler said it’s an issue worth addressing because she’s seen a calculation that shows there’s a “several” percent chance of casualties on the ground each year.
Lawler gave the following statement:
“Within 10 years, it’s almost guaranteed that someone will die from space junk, and that’s terrible.” It’s terrible that we’re in this situation, and I’m really worried that this is what it will take for countries to start regulating space debris more carefully.”
In related news, a Florida family is suing NASA after they say a metal object fell through their home. NASA said it came from the ISS. Lawyers for the family said the case could open the door to future claims for damages caused by incoming space debris, according to CNN Newsource.
A recent NASA statement included information for the SpaceX Debris Hotline.
“In the unlikely event that you find a piece of space junk, do not attempt to handle or recover it. Instead, contact the SpaceX Debris Hotline at 1-866-623-0234 or recovery@spacex.com.”