In late-April 2000, the second stage of a Delta rocket reentered the atmosphere over the Atlantic Ocean. Three pieces of debris were later found in South Africa.
Less than a year later in mid-January 2001, the third stage of a Delta rocket, known as PAM-D (Payload Assist Module-Delta), reentered Earth’s atmosphere over the Middle East. The propellant’s titanium motor casing, which weighed about 154 pounds, landed in Saudi Arabia, but pieces of the titanium pressurant tank and the main propellant tank landed in Texas.
