Incredible: SpaceX Rocket Ashore on Christmas Island
A 52‑metre SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has turned up unexpectedly off the coast of Christmas Island after a test flight from Texas ended in a splash‑down in the Indian Ocean.
David Watchorn, chair of the Christmas Island Tourism Association, laughed that he first saw ships when, in reality, a tug‑towed rocket drifted into view. "I didn't realise it was a rocket," Watchorn told BBC reporters.
The sighting sparked curiosity and amusement. Some locals slipped out of office work for a glimpse, while others sent boats to examine the space vehicle and any debris.
"It's really incredible to think about what it's been through," Watchorn said. "The more people look at it, the more fascinating it becomes".
