Scraps from French rocket

Pieces of metal that washed ashore on Crane Beach over the weekend have been identified.
Director of Civil Aviation Mitchinson Beckles said yesterday French authorities had positively identified the pieces as part of an Ariane 5 rocket launched from French Guiana on December 19.
The components were analyzed by aviation and French officials during a meeting on Monday.
“Those sections that were found were components of the covering for the booster rocket which, following the launch, will be separated from the rocket and return to earth and should not normally disintegrate. However on contact with the water on this occasion, this one broke,” Beckles explained. (YB)