Australian authorities said they have identified the likely source of six mysterious “space balls” that washed up on a beach in Queensland.
The Australian Space Agency says the spherical objects appear to be “pressure vessels” from a space launch vehicle that fell back to Earth.
The agency said the objects’ location and characteristics are consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere.
The ASA says it’s working with international authorities to find out who the balls belong to, since there’s reportedly no record of them being launched from Australia.
The Queensland Fire Department shared photos on July 4, 2026 of mysterious “space balls” that washed ashore on a Queensland beach. (Queensland Fire Department / Facebook)
Queensland Fire Department crews kept the public away from the balls over the weekend over concerns they may still contain dangerous fuel.
Emergency responders assessed the objects and determined them to be safe, the ASA said in a July 5 Facebook post.
The ASA says further debris may be found. They’re urging anyone who encounters suspected space debris to assume it’s hazardous and avoid contact.
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