BRIN Identifies Viral Phenomenon in Lampung Sky as Chinese Rocket Space Debris

JAKARTA – Thomas Djamaluddin, Professor of Astronomy at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has identified the mysterious celestial object that passed through the airspace over Lampung, as seen in a viral video on social media on Saturday (4/4/2026), as space debris.

“Residents around Lampung and Banten were excited by a bright object streaking across the sky, appearing to break into several parts. That was fragments of space debris,” he said when contacted in Jakarta on Sunday.

Thomas explained that the space debris was remnants of the Chinese CZ-3B rocket, which launched from the direction of India towards the Indian Ocean. “The latest information from Space-Track and orbital analysis indicates that the remnants of the Chinese rocket travelled from the direction of India towards the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Sumatra,” he stated.

Thomas further explained that the object descended to an altitude below 120 km around 7:56 PM WIB, making it visible to the public.

“The object entered the dense atmosphere, continued to streak while burning and breaking apart. That is what was witnessed by residents around Lampung and Banten,” said Thomas Djamaluddin.

Previously, a video went viral on social media showing a glowing object streaking across the sky, reportedly over the Lampung area.

The celestial object appeared elongated and scattered into several fragments multiple times.