Mysterious debris found on Queensland beaches could be ‘space balls’ – and may contain toxic rocket fuel

Queensland fire department says a total of six objects have been found washed up on beaches. Photograph: Forrest Beach Takeaway View image in fullscreen Queensland fire department says a total of six objects have been found washed up on beaches. Photograph: Forrest Beach Takeaway Mysterious debris found on Queensland beaches could be ‘space balls’ – and may contain toxic rocket fuel Australian Space Agency working to confirm origin of objects as space archaeologist says they may be connected to a rocket launch Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Six pieces of suspected space debris found washed up on north Queensland beaches could be “space balls” that are often left over from rocket launches, according to one expert. The Australian Space Agency confirmed on Sunday it was working to determine the nature and origin of the mysterious objects, which police said were suspected of containing hazardous chemicals. Reports showed the objects , washed up on beaches in the Forrest Beach area of Townsville, appeared to be large spheres. The Queensland Fire Department said on Sunday a total of six objects had been found washed up on beaches. Five had been “secured into drums” and a sixth was being “rendered safe” on Sunday, a spokesperson said. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email A local chip shop, the Forrest Beach Takeaway , was already selling a “space junk snack box”, with a chalkboard saying “unlike some stuff that washes up on our beach, you’ll be able to identify these objects”. View image in fullscreen The Australian Space Agency has confirmed that ‘suspected space debris’ thought to contain hazardous chemicals has been located north of Townsville, in Forrest Beach. Photograph: Queensland Fire Department Police said there was “no danger to the local community and police are not investigating the incident”. A fire department statement said: “It is possible more debris will turn up in the area over coming days” and while there was “currently no danger to the local community”, locals should check information provided by the Australian Space Agency . “The nature of the debris and its origin are still being determined,” the statement added. A spokesperson for the Australian Space Agency, which is working with police and the National Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the objects were thought to be space debris. A statement said: “The Australian Space Agency is supporting local authorities in relation to suspected space debris located at Forrest Beach in North Queensland. The Agency is working to determine the nature of the debris and its origin.” ‘This feels fragile’: how a satellite-smashing chain reaction could spiral out of control Read more Associate Prof Alice Gorman, a space archaeologist and space junk expert at Flinders University, has reviewed news footage and said the objects did not appear to have evidence of burning or scorching. “This suggests they might be from a rocket stage – perhaps a first or second