In recent days, fragments of the Falcon 9 rocket belonging to SpaceX have been discovered in Poland. The rocket, launched on February 1, 2025, from Vandenberg Base in California as part of the Starlink Group 11-4 mission, experienced a failure during deorbiting, leading to the uncontrolled entry of its second stage into the atmosphere over Europe. As a result, debris fell onto Polish territory.
SpaceX Statement
SpaceX has confirmed the incident, pointing to a technical malfunction during the rocket’s deorbiting operation. The company’s representatives assured that they are cooperating with the Polish government to recover the debris and emphasized that the fragments do not contain toxic substances. They also advised that individuals who encounter potential rocket debris should not attempt to pick it up or collect it but should instead contact local authorities or the SpaceX helpline.
Response of Polish Authorities
The Polish Space Agency (POLSA) remains in constant contact with both the police and SpaceX. POLSA spokesperson Agnieszka Gapys has urged that if anyone finds elements that may originate from the Falcon 9 rocket, they should immediately notify the police.
The Ministry of Development and Technology has summoned POLSA President Grzegorz Wrochna to provide explanations regarding the incident. Minister Waldemar Buda emphasized that he expects full information about the circumstances of the event and the actions taken by the agency in response to the situation.
Expert Opinions
Retired General Waldemar Skrzypczak suggested in an interview with PAP that Poland should consider filing claims against Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, for damages caused by the falling rocket debris. He stressed that responsibility for such incidents lies with the entities responsible for launching and controlling rockets in space.
Conclusion
The incident involving the fall of Falcon 9 rocket debris on Polish territory has sparked discussions about liability for such events and the procedures for handling them. Polish authorities and SpaceX are taking steps to clarify the circumstances of the incident and minimize potential risks to residents.
