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Debris From Doomed SpaceX Falcon 9 Space Rocket Washes Up In Scilly Isles

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Debris from Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has washed up in the Scilly Isles, five months after it exploded on take-off from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

The remains of the space rocket were reportedly discovered by coastguards patrolling the Isles of Scilly, just off the Cornish mainland.

Spotted on the surface of the sea, the debris was towed to the nearby island of Tresco, some 4,000 miles away from the launch site in Florida.

Martin Leslie, coastal area commander for the coastguard, said: “The markings show an American flag. It looks like it’s an American rocket and seems most likely to be the unmanned SpaceX Falcon-9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June.

"We’re grateful for all those who helped in its recovery - it was a great example of the community working together.”

The Falcon 9 rocket blew up moments after take-off in June, with the incident attributed to a faulty strut that failed during the second phase of the launch.

The unmanned rocket was carrying a Dragon capsule with research materials and provisions bound for the International Space Station.

Image credit: PA