this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2023
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2.5m diameter is very much a space rocket size. I'm guessing part of booster fuel tank.
better article.
What's the fibre pattern on the dome part I wonder? Looks like some kind of carbon fibre maybe around the top in the video.
I wonder why it was buoyant. Like if it's just the sheared off end of a cylinder you'd think it would just sink?
IDK enough about anything to say "I reckon it's x", but if it's not rocket parts then my guess would be some kind of reusable buoyancy tank used for things like floating foundations into place, shipbreaking yards, that sort of stuff.
@DogMuffins @Amilo159 Maybe it also has got some insulating foam. This would make it floatable. This really looks like some tank. It looks toasty, so the question is: 1st stage or 2nd stage?
Many "space" fuel tanks have inflatable bladders inside to control the pressure and location of the fuel, especially in zero-g. Otherwise, the fuel could float away from your tank valve. It is possible that this tank has a fully or partially inflated bladder, making it much more buoyient.