SpaceX Dragon Capsule Debris Found in Luxury Camping Resort

A hunk of metal discovered on a remote trail within a luxurious camping resort in North Carolina has been identified as part of a SpaceX Dragon capsule, NASA has confirmed. This revelation adds to the recent instances of space debris making its way back to Earth.

The debris in question originated from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which re-entered Earth’s atmosphere following a journey to the International Space Station. NASA stated in an email that no structural damage or injuries have been reported as a result of this finding.

Space debris refers to equipment left in space by humans, encompassing objects like defunct satellites and small hardware from spacecraft. In a separate incident, a family in Florida took legal action against NASA after a component from one of the agency’s missions landed on their property. SpaceX employees also traveled to a Canadian farm to retrieve debris discovered there.

The metal fragment found in North Carolina was located in the mountains approximately 23 miles west of Asheville at a high-end camping destination known as the Glamping Collective. The private property boasts roughly five miles of exclusive hiking trails, offering guests accommodations in geodesic domes and cabins.

Matt Bare, co-founder of the Glamping Collective, mentioned that around eight acres of the 160-acre property have been developed, and the debris landed on one of the hiking paths. He noted that the object, estimated to weigh about 100 pounds and measuring approximately 4 feet by 4 feet, was unmistakably of extraterrestrial origin due to its size and the secluded location where it was found.