NASA confirms space debris in North Carolina was from SpaceX Crew Dragon reentry

a large black piece of fiberglass covered in metal bolts and plates lies on the ground beside a trail leading into a forest. mountains can be seen rolling in the distance
Space debris found on a walking trail at The Glamping Collective resort in Canton, NC now confirmed to be from the reentry of a part of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. (Image credit: Future/Brett Tingley)

NASA has confirmed that pieces of debris found throughout the mountains of North Carolina are the remnants of SpaceX Crew Dragon hardware that reentered the atmosphere in May 2024.

The largest piece of debris was found along a walking trail of a mountaintop resort on May 22; it was about the size of a standard car hood and covered in a carbon fiber weave. In the weeks following that discovery, several smaller pieces were found in residents' yards throughout the region as well. A map posted to X by astronomer Jonathan McDowell that plotted the reentry of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission's "trunk," or service module, suggested this particular Crew Dragon hardware was likely responsible for the mess. However, it wasn't until June 20, 2024 that NASA confirmed the debris indeed came from a Crew Dragon spacecraft.

"SpaceX has confirmed the re-entry of Dragon spacecraft trunk hardware to NASA following its service missions to the International Space Station," a statement emailed to Western North Carolina journalist Justin Berger said.

The trunk, as SpaceX calls it, is an unpressurized section at the tail end of its Dragon spacecraft that has fins for aerodynamic control during emergency aborts, is able to carry cargo or small satellites, and is fitted with solar panels that provide power to the spacecraft when it is in flight or docked to the International Space Station.

Related: Space debris from SpaceX Dragon capsule crashed in the North Carolina mountains. I had to go see it (video)

Space debris found on a walking trail at The Glamping Collective resort in Canton, NC now confirmed to be from the reentry of a part of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. (Image credit: Future/Brett Tingley)

NASA's statement confirming the source of the debris pointed out that the trunk's reentry over North Carolina wasn't the only recent example of a Dragon trunk surviving its fiery return through Earth's atmosphere.

"Most recently, the trunks that supported SpaceX's 30th commercial services resupply and Crew-7 missions re-entered over Saudi Arabia and North Carolina, respectively," the statement continues.

Space debris found on a walking trail at The Glamping Collective resort in Canton, NC now confirmed to be from the reentry of a part of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. (Image credit: Future/Brett Tingley)

NASA's statement says the Crew Dragon trunk was predicted to burn up entirely upon reentry, but these and several other recent debris falls indicate this is clearly not the case.

"NASA and SpaceX will continue exploring additional solutions as we learn from the discovered debris," the statement adds.

A few other pieces of other similar-looking debris have been found in recent years that were believed to also be from SpaceX Dragon reentries. In May 2024, a large piece of debris was found in a farmer's field in Saskatchewan, Canada, and before that, another piece fell in the Australian outback in August 2022. "NASA is unaware of any structural damage or injuries resulting from these findings," the agency wrote.

Of note, NASA is currently facing a claim for financial compensation with relation to ISS-specific space debris that crashed into a Florida family home. That space junk wasn't associated with SpaceX hardware, but rather a battery pack jettisoned from the ISS that was originally supposed to burn up in Earth's atmosphere; the family is requesting the agency pay for damages. The outcome of this could also affect how both public and private space companies manage future space debris incidents.

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Brett Tingley
Managing Editor, Space.com

Brett is curious about emerging aerospace technologies, alternative launch concepts, military space developments and uncrewed aircraft systems. Brett's work has appeared on Scientific American, The War Zone, Popular Science, the History Channel, Science Discovery and more. Brett has English degrees from Clemson University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In his free time, Brett enjoys skywatching throughout the dark skies of the Appalachian mountains.

  • ImmortalMelvz
    Why is it difficult to trace the path of Space debris falling on Earth?
    Reply
  • timothystull
    Spacex, virgin,etc etc my dad always said if your going to play baseball in the street you will pay for the windows you brake. Clean up the mess set an example and fix the property it will be right feel good and show you have responsibilities and pray you don't kill anyone when the ball breaks the windows. You have come a long way your making space exploration exciting again and I don't want a battery or a bus size trunk hurting anyone else.How much space junk is up there? How much more to come? How long until we have Helmut warnings like heat advisory's? Best of luck to you all fingers crossed 🤞
    Reply
  • Philly
    Well, we all know it wasn't space debris from Blue Origin. :p
    Reply