SpaceX Falcon 9 Lights Up Northern Europe Sky

In the early hours of Wednesday, an object blazing through the sky illuminated northern Europe, sparking thoughts of a sci-fi scene for many onlookers. The spectacle was caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

Watch Falcon 9 launch 23 @Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida https://t.co/pgmE6zoQCZ

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 18, 2025

Sightings were reported across Denmark, Sweden, and England, with debris later found in Poland and possibly Ukraine.

One piece, measuring around 1.5m by 1m, was discovered by Adam Borucki behind his warehouse in Komorniki, Poland, prompting an investigation by local police and the Polish space agency Polsa.

Polsa confirmed the uncontrolled re-entry of the Falcon 9’s second stage over Poland.

The Falcon 9, a reusable rocket designed to transport people and payloads, experienced an engine failure, leading to the uncontrolled descent.

While debris from space re-entries is common, large pieces rarely reach Earth.

Harvard astrophysicist Dr. Jonathan McDowell warned that increasing space activity might heighten such risks, as this marks the fourth recent incident involving a SpaceX Falcon.

Despite no injuries, the event raises concerns about space debris and its potential hazards.

BBC