Parts of an Indian rocket found while out fishing

A resident of L. Kunahandhoo, while out fishing, has discovered items believed to be parts of a rocket from the Indian space agency on an uninhabited island.

These objects, suspected to be parts of an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) rocket, have now been transported to the Kunahandhoo boatyard area.

The President of the Kunahandhoo Council, Ibrahim Shakeeb, told "Mihaaru" today that these items were found a few days ago on an uninhabited island near Kunahandhoo by a middle-aged man who regularly goes fishing and catching marlin.

Shakeeb mentioned that when the man brought the items to Kunahandhoo, he was unaware that they were rocket parts.

According to Shakeeb, the items were brought to the island last night. He stated that the man, accompanied by two others, brought the objects to the island intending to use the screws and other components.

"They brought them here because they wanted the screws and things on them. It was only after they were placed in the Kunahandhoo boatyard area and seen by some youths that it was realized (they were parts of an Indian rocket)," he said.

"Based on the writings on them, they appear to be very recent, something from 2025."

Photos of the objects, believed to be rocket parts, have now circulated on social media. The name of ISRO and the Indian national emblem are visible on them.

<b>Military on their way to take over</b>

Shakeeb said the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has contacted him and stated that soldiers will be visiting the island today to take over the items. He also noted that the police have already inspected the objects. Based on the public photos, the parts appear to be the "payload fairing," which is the section at the tip of the rocket that protects satellites.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), ISRO’s most reliable workhorse rocket, has recently faced major issues. Two PSLV rockets launched by ISRO, one on the 16th of last month and another on May 16th of last year, have failed.

Reports state that in both instances, the issues occurred during the rocket's third stage. These failed missions were carrying Earth observation satellites specifically for border surveillance.

The parts of the rocket that failed last month fell into the South Indian Ocean. Consequently, it is possible for the debris to wash up on the coasts of the Maldives and Sri Lanka due to ocean currents.

Last month, it was reported that parts of the rocket that fell last year were also found on the coast of Sri Lanka. It is highly likely that the parts washed up in the Maldives are from the ISRO rocket that fell last year.