SpaceX rocket debris lands in sheep paddock, Australian Space Agency confirms

A piece of space junk was found in a sheep paddock in the NSW Snowy Mountains. (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)

The Australian Space Agency has confirmed debris found in the NSW Snowy Mountains belongs to SpaceX.

Three pieces of space junk have so far been found in the region, which are considered to be the biggest pieces found in Australia since 1979. 

Two pieces were inspected by technical experts from the Australian Space Agency and NSW Police on Saturday.

Police have since confirmed they were also aware of the third piece being found in the region.

This piece of space junk is estimated to be up to three metres long.  (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)

Authorities believed the space debris belonged to SpaceX but had been awaiting confirmation.

"The agency has confirmed the debris is from a SpaceX mission and continues to engage with our counterparts in the US, as well as other parts of the Commonwealth and local authorities as appropriate," an Australian Space Agency spokesperson said.

"The agency is operating under the Australian Government Space Re-entry Debris Plan which outlines roles and responsibilities for key Australian government agencies and committees in supporting the response to space re-entry debris."

This third piece of space junk was also found in the NSW Snowy Mountains, near Jindabyne. (Supplied: Nick Lodge)

It comes after locals reported hearing a loud boom on July 9, which was considered to have been caused by the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which was launched in November 2020, re-entering Earth's atmosphere.

Locals in the regions are being told that there's a possibility more pieces could still be found.

"If the community spots any further suspected debris they should not attempt to handle it or retrieve it," the agency said.

"They should contact the SpaceX Debris Hotline at 1-866-623-0234 or at recovery@spacex.com."

So what happens now?

While the space debris is expected to remain at the properties where they were found for now, the pieces could eventually be returned to US soil.

Australian National University's Institute of Space deputy director Cassandra Steer said there was an obligation under international space law to repatriate any debris to the country from where it originated.

Cassandra Steer is a space law lecturer and mission specialist at ANU's Institute of Space. (Supplied: ANU)

"Any space object, or part thereof, has to be repatriated, and I'm sure that's what's going to happen in this case as well," she said.

"Unless SpaceX says that it wants no part in the costs associated with it, and it would like to donate the debris to science, that's quite possible.

"But it should be sent back to the US."

Dr Steer said it was significant that there was confirmation the debris belonged to SpaceX.

"We have clarity in terms of lines of responsibilities," she said.

"The US is liable for any damage that is caused by this space debris ... and Australia could go to the US and seek some form of compensation if there are any costs involved in cleaning it up."

Farmers Mick Miners and Jock Wallace, along with astrophysicist Brad Tucker, have visited where the first two pieces of junk were found. (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)

But she was confident the situation would be resolved amicably.

"Clearly this is not going to turn into a horrible diplomatic event; the US is one of our closest allies and partners," she said.

"But there does need to be a government-to-government response in to how to deal with this.

"Thankfully in this situation it doesn't look like there's huge, enormous damage so hopefully it can be sorted out very amicably and without any international diplomatic incident."

SpaceX has been contacted for comment. 

Space junk has landed at two properties in the NSW Snowy Mountains.(ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)