A farmer in Stevens County, Minnesota, uncovered an 11‑foot bowl‑shaped metallic object beneath corn on October 14, 2024. The find, which the farmer believes has sat there for roughly six weeks, immediately drew the attention of state officials.
Stevens County Sheriff's Office reported the discovery, and deputies found the piece charred, indicating it had survived atmospheric re‑entry. The U.S. Air Force and the National Transportation Safety Board were called in to examine the debris, which was later moved to a secure location.
Experts at the Minnesota Star Tribune, including space specialist Dr. Maya Patel, point to the Chinese Zhuque‑2E rocket as the most probable source. The rocket, launched in September 2024 from Jiuquan, China, carries a 11‑foot upper stage that matches the object's dimensions and followed a trajectory that could have brought it back over North America.
The incident highlights the growing risk of surviving space hardware on Earth as satellite constellations expand. The Air Force will conduct a forensic analysis before the debris is transferred to a secure facility on November 5, a move that will determine whether it poses a public safety threat.