JETTY PARK, Fla. – New concerns are emerging along Florida’s Space Coast following this week’s Blue Origin rocket explosion.
Officials warned debris from the explosion could begin washing ashore in the coming days or weeks as ocean conditions shift.
In the days after the explosion, crews have been monitoring the area for debris while beachgoers say they are also watching the shoreline closely.
“I’m curious to see if anything washes up. I walk the beach all the time,” one beachgoer said.
While much of the debris is expected to remain offshore, experts say ocean currents can carry floating materials long distances over time.
“When you go watch a movie, you can see those little pressure vessels that they pressurized oxygen gases with float streaking across the sky in that fireball. So it’s like you might be able to find something,” another beachgoer said.
Officials with Blue Origin say if debris does wash ashore, people should not touch it, warning it could contain hazardous materials or sharp components that could cause injury.
“Don’t touch, just call, because it could be hazardous there,” one beachgoer said. “If it’s carbon fiber, you could touch it. You could get splinters and stuff. So it’s like, very cool, very cool to see. But just going to kind of just leave it.”
For many residents, rocket launches and occasional mishaps are part of everyday life along the Space Coast.
“Crazy place to live. We have the cruises right here. We got the rockets right here. Submarines come in and out. It’s an amazing place to live. We love it here,” one resident said.
Still, others say the possibility of finding space-related debris is intriguing.
“But if we were to catch something, I feel like it’d be pretty cool, especially if it’s related to the rocket,” a beachgoer said.
Officials continue to urge anyone who encounters suspected debris not to touch or move it, but to report it immediately to authorities at the phone number 321-222-4355 or email missionrecovery@blueorigin.com