Metal spheres fall from the sky in Gujarat’s Anand district, may be debris of Chinese rocket

<p>
Four hollow metal spheres fell from the sky in some villages in Gujarat over the past few days, which according to some experts were likely to be either the debris of a Chinese rocket or fuel storage tanks of space launch vehicles.</p>
<p>
The metal spheres, each of about 1.5 feet in diameter, fell between May 12 and 13 in Dagjipura, Khambholaj and Rampura villages of Anand district, and Bhumel village of neighbouring Kheda district, Anand's Deputy Superintendent of Police BD Jadeja said.</p>
<p>
"Our primary analysis suggested that these metal balls might belong to a satellite. For further analysis, we have decided to consult the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as well as the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad," Jadeja said.</p>
<p>
US-based astronomer Jonathan McDowell in a tweet on May 12 said these metal spheres are likely to be the debris of Chinese rocket Chang Zheng 3B, commonly known as CZ 3B. The debris might have fallen over Gujarat during the "re-entry" of the rocket, he explained.</p>
<p>
According to retired ISRO scientist BS Bhatia said these metal balls might be the fuel tanks used in rockets and satellites to store hydrazine, a type of liquid fuel.</p>
<p>
Usually, empty storage tanks on a rocket are programmed to detach automatically and fall on the ground after the fuel is completely consumed, he explained.</p>