Posted: Mon, Jun 4, 2001, 11:01 AM ET (1501 GMT)
A South African museum plans to fight to keep three pieces of debris from a Delta rocket from bring returned to the United States. The Sunday Times newspaper of South Africa reported that the US Defense Department has requested the debris, including a propellant tank, be returned to the US for study. The debris, from a 1996 Delta launch, fell on a South African farm last year and is now in a museum in Cape Town. Museum officials and astronomers say they plan to flight to keep the debris from leaving, while American officials say the debris belongs to them in accordance with existing treaties. The cost of transporting the items back would be paid by the US, according to the newspaper report.

Related Links:

•  Sunday Times (South Africa) article