Piece of rocket ship washes up on Texas beach

Freeport Police found a piece of a rocket on a beach in town earlier in February 2017. After contacting multiple agencies, they learned the piece came from a rocket that took off in South America. Freeport Police found a piece of a rocket on a beach in town earlier in February 2017. After contacting multiple agencies, they learned the piece came from a rocket that took off in South America. Photo: Courtesy/Freeport Police Department Photo: Courtesy/Freeport Police Department Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close Piece of rocket ship washes up on Texas beach 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

Beachgoers southeast of Houston had to call police after discovering treasure on the sea shore.

No, this wasn't a seashell, or jewelry.

They found part of a rocket ship.

Freeport police responded earlier this week after a caller said it looked like part of a boat or aircraft had washed up onshore. Upon inspection, and after calling multiple agencies including NASA and the FBI, it was determined the item was a chunk of a rocket that was launched into space from South America earlier this year.

"It clearly did not burn up on re-entry, landed in the ocean and floated all the way here to Freeport," police said on their Facebook page.

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The police department cannot keep their cool find, and instead have to give the rocket piece back to its rightful owner.

"No, it is not dangerous, except for the smell of dying barnacles that called it home for the past two weeks," police said.

One commenter on Facebook joked: "Better write them a ticket for littering. You don't mess with Texas!"

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kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5