It was hailed as a doomsday device, an instrument from a weather balloon or proof that extra terrestrial life existed.
But the mysterious metal sphere fell to the ground in a remote area of northern Namibia has now been identified as a hydrazine tank from an unmanned rocket, commonly used in satellite launches.
When the 13lbs, 14 inch ball smashed to earth in mid- November it sparked a national security issue with the Namibian authorities asking NASA for help in identifying it.
The baffling metal sphere, pictured made a crater 12 inches deep where it fell
Adrian Chen of Gawker reported that it was most likely a fuel tank for storing hydrazine on unmanned rockets. He said this after a commentator wrote on his blog: 'For anyone wondering what it actually is, it's likely a 39-litre hydrazine bladder tank.
'They're used on unmanned rockets for satellite launches, which would explain why they're falling down in such a specific geographic footprint.'
When the ball fell it caused a crater 12 inches deep and 13ft wide, although it was found some 60ft away.
Locals claimed to have heard several explosions in the days before it was discovered by a farmer on his land.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2078428/Great-space-ball-mystery-SOLVED.html
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