Piece Is A Panel From The Interstage Module From ISS Resupply Mission CRS-4 Launched Over A Year Ago

A panel from a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster was found  floating in the ocean Thursday near the U.K. Isles of Scilly and recovered by local mariners.

Initially, the piece, which was identified as a portion of the interstage module, was thought to have been part of the Falcon 9 booster that exploded shortly after launch earlier this year. But Business Insider reports that after photos of the piece were posted on the Internet, the SpaceX enthusiast community on Reddit pegged it for a segment of a booster that successfully launched a resupply mission to ISS in 2014.

According to a statement from the U.K. Coast Guard, the wreckage was was spotted on the surface between Bryher and Tresco. It was reported to the UK Coastguard, which immediately issued a warning to shipping in the area.

"The markings show an American flag," said Martin Leslie, Coastal Area Commander. "It looks like it’s an American rocket and is similar to the unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June.

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

The interstage module is a fairing between the first and second stages of the rocket.

The panel was covered with goose barnacles when it was discovered floating in the ocean. It is not known whether SpaceX will want to retrieve the panel.

(Images provided with Maritime Coastal Agency news release)

FMI: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency