US spacecraft debris washes up on Cornwall beach

A large piece of debris thought to be from an unmanned US rocket which blew up on its way to the International Space Station six months ago has washed up on a beach in the Scilly Isles.

The large piece of alloy measures 10m by 4m and has markings including a stars and stripes flag.

Experts believe it is part of the Space X rocket which was unsuccessfully launched from Cape Carnival in Florida – more than 4,000 miles away from the Cornish beach.

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It was spotted by coastguards floating on the water between Bryher and Tresco, the BBC reports.

Joseph Thomas, from Tresco Boat Services, said he initially thought it was a dead whale.

"I didn't know what it was. We tried to drag it ashore using a hook, but it bent it," he said.

"[We then thought] it was part of a plane, but then we scraped the barnacles off and we saw it was part of a rocket. It's not every day part of a rocket washes ashore at home."

The wreckage has since been towed ashore at Tresco, where it is being held.

Martin Leslie, coastal area commander for the coastguard, thanked everyone involved in the operation.

"We're grateful for all those who helped in its recovery – it was a great example of the community working together," he said.