SpaceX Rocket Spotted Off Christmas Island After Crashing Into Indian Ocean in July

A SpaceX rocket that blasted off from the company's launch facility in Texas in July and subsequently crashed into the Indian Ocean has been spotted floating off the coast of Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean, according to a BBC report. Witnesses described the discovery as incredible, as the rocket had not been seen since its splashdown.

Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, is located approximately 2,600 kilometres northwest of the Australian mainland. The island's remote location makes it an unusual setting for such a maritime discovery.

SpaceX routinely operates rockets designed for partial or full reusability, with boosters returning to landing pads or drone ships at sea. When a rocket or component is lost at sea following a mission, recovery or sighting of the debris can provide valuable engineering data.

The sighting sparked significant interest online, with footage shared widely on social media showing what appeared to be a large section of the rocket visible near the island's coastline.

SpaceX has not yet issued a statement regarding the sighting or whether recovery operations are planned.