Possible Chinese rocket fragment found in Minnesota

A large metal fragment that may be part of the upper stage of China’s Zhuque-2E rocket has been found in a Minnesota field. Similar debris was found in Indonesia, highlighting the risks of uncontrolled rocket reentries to Earth.

Metal fragment in Minnesota field may be part of Chinese rocket

A farmer in western Minnesota found a metal fragment about 11 feet (3.4 meters) wide among the corn. Authorities are considering the possibility that it fell from space.

The object was found near Scott Township. The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office described it as a “large metal object” and said it was likely space debris. After receiving a report on the afternoon of October 14, police officers went to the scene. Photos posted by the office show a charred metal fragment lying in a field. The object could not be identified as agricultural equipment, so investigators began determining its origin and preparing to remove it.

The farmer estimated that the fragment had been there for about six weeks, based on the corn growing beneath it. USA Today reported that serial numbers were also found on the metal, which could help identify its owner.

Authorities said the discovery poses no danger to the public. In a statement on October 15, the sheriff’s office confirmed that state agencies and federal services had joined the effort to determine the fragment’s origin and remove it. One of the published photos identifies Deputy Sheriff Brian Swantek; the photos were also provided by the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.

The Chinese rocket theory

The object’s origin has not yet been officially confirmed. However, Ars Technica reports that it may be part of a Chinese rocket. According to the publication, the fragment’s dimensions match the upper stage of the Zhuque-2E rocket, developed by Chinese aerospace company LandSpace.

The rocket launched on September 15 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China and carried 10 communications satellites into orbit. Its upper stage is thought to have reentered the atmosphere over the northern part of the U.S. Midwest. Witnesses reported seeing fiery debris in the sky. After stage separation, part of a rocket can remain in orbit before reentering the atmosphere and falling to Earth.

A similar incident occurred in Indonesia. Authorities there are investigating the discovery of a large metal object on an oil palm plantation in Central Kalimantan province. Local residents reportedly heard a loud bang the previous night. An aluminum panel about 30 feet (9 meters) wide was found by a plantation worker near residential buildings and work areas.

Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency tentatively linked the debris to another Chinese-made Zhuque-2E rocket. It launched on October 14 carrying 10 communications satellites and later reentered the atmosphere over the island of Borneo.

These incidents show the potential consequences of uncontrolled rocket-stage reentries as the number of space launches grows and more satellites are placed in orbit. In 2025, a Ring doorbell camera captured a meteorite falling to Earth and also recorded the sound of the impact.