Govt Warns Of Space Debris Headed For Kenya

The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has issued a public alert regarding the potential re-entry of a significant piece of space debris expected to pass over Eastern Africa this weekend.

In a statement on Friday, April 18, KSA revealed that the debris is stemming from a space object listed as Norad ID 61909/2024-205R, a large fragment from a rocket body of unknown mass.

According to the agency, the predicted re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere is estimated to occur on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m. (EAT), with a margin of error of ±15 hours 46 minutes. This places the re-entry window between 7:29 a.m. on Saturday and 3:01 p.m. on Sunday, April 20.

While the agency emphasises that the debris is not expected to impact Kenya, the object's projected trajectory cuts across the eastern African region, including a north-to-south path over Kenya, from the North Eastern region down towards the South East, into Tanzania and beyond.

"The Kenya Space Agency wishes to notify members of the general public of a potential re-entry of a space object, Norad ID 61909/ 2024-205R which is a significant debris from a rocket body of unknown mass. The object is of particular interest to Kenya as the projected flight trajectory is over the eastern African region, including Kenya, in a North-South path from the North Eastern region to the South East of Kenya towards Tanzania and further southward," the statement read in part.

"The re-entry is predicted to occur on Saturday, 19 April 2025, at around 11:15 pm +/- 15 hrs 46 mins. This means the re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere could occur within the window from Saturday, 19 April 2025, 7:29 am to Sunday, 20 April 2025, 3:01 pm."

Given the object's considerable size, KSA has warned of potential risk to life and property along its predicted flight path, urging the public to remain vigilant during the stated timeframe. However, it noted that it is working with partners to obtain a more precise prediction of the flight path and timeline.

"KSA, out of an abundance of caution, wishes to advise members of the public to be vigilant and to be on the lookout for potential debris dropping from or flying through the sky within the specified period," warned the agency.

KSA also encouraged anyone who observes suspected space debris to report it immediately to the nearest police station, national government administrative office, or military facility for appropriate handling.

This alert underscores KSA’s growing role in space situational awareness and public safety, as Kenya continues to develop its space capabilities and infrastructure.

Earlier in January, the discovery of a metallic object in Mukuku in Makueni County mesmerised residents and what startled them even more was the revelation that it had fallen from the sky. KSA would reveal that the object was a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kg.

The object landed in Mukuku Village, Mukuku Sublocation, Nduluku Location, Waia Division, Mbooni East Sub-County, Makueni County, on Monday, December 30, 2024, at around 1500hrs.

Owing to the ring-shaped structure, the object was revealed to be a fragment of a space object. Preliminary assessments indicated that the fallen object was a separation ring from a launch vehicle (rocket). Such objects are usually designed to burn up as they re-enter the Earth's atmosphere or to fall over unoccupied areas, such as the oceans.

According to eyewitnesses who observed the rare incident, the object was said to have fallen from space with a loud bang that was heard for kilometres.

Residents immediately arrived at the scene, and images shared on social media showed them handling the foreign object barehanded, oblivious of any danger it might have exposed them to.

Mbooni East Sub-County Police Commander, James Rotich, revealed that the object was red-hot when it landed in a forested area. "We had to cordon off the area until it cooled off," he said.

Photo of a satellite in space. /PRINCETON PLASMA PHYSICS LABORATORY