BRIN confirms China rocket debris fell in Kotim palm plantation
New: BRIN tracked ZhuQue-2E's final path past Sampit on Oct. 18 at 17:36 WIB, matching residents' report of a boom.
BRIN has confirmed that the metal objects found at two spots in PT Agro Bukit palm plantations, KM 26, Kotawaringin Timur regency, Central Kalimantan, were debris from China's ZhuQue-2E rocket. Residents earlier reported hearing a boom on Sunday, Oct. 18, around 17:36 WIB. BRIN astrophysics researcher Thomas Djamaluddin said orbital data showed the spent rocket passed from north to south over Kalimantan and was near Sampit at that time before reentering Earth's atmosphere. The initial identification was also supported by marking codes on the debris. The discovery site has now been cordoned off, while one object has been evacuated to Lanud Iskandar Pangkalan Bun for further examination.