BRIN identifies Chinese rocket debris found in Sampit

Researchers from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) suspect that debris found in an oil palm plantation in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, originated from a Chinese ZhuQue-2E (ZQ-2E) rocket.

Astrophysics researcher Thomas Djamaluddin stated that orbital data shows the rocket debris traversed the Kalimantan region from north to south on October 18, 2026. The trajectory aligns with local reports of a loud rumbling sound heard by residents around 5:36 PM WIB. The fragments are considered space junk that underwent atmospheric reentry.

The ZhuQue-2E rocket was developed by the Chinese commercial space startup LandSpace. It launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 14, 2026, carrying ten satellites.