Mysterious Floating Package Sparks Bomb Scare, Turns Out To Be NASA Experiment

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What to Know

  • A mysterious package attached to a parachute set off a bomb scare — but the styrofoam box turned out to be a NASA experiment

  • A group of solar panel employees spotted the box when it floated to the ground in New Jersey

  • NASA employees told police they launched a total of six balloons, two of which have been recovered so far

A mysterious package attached to a bright red parachute set off a bomb scare on Tuesday — but the white styrofoam box turned out to be a NASA experiment.

A group of solar panel employees spotted the box when it floated to the ground at a solar panel field affiliated with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, off of New Road in South Brunswick, around noon. 

When the employees approached the package, they discovered a handwritten message attached to the outside of it.

“NASA Atmospheric Research Instrument NOT A BOMB! If found, please call [redacted]. If this lands near the President, we at NASA wish him a great round of golf.” 

Not reassured by the message or the noise the package was making, employees reported the box to police. 

“We just had a package — I’m not making this up — parachute onto my site,” a caller is heard saying in a recording. “It’s a white styrofoam package. It’s making a weird noise.” 

Police dispatched officers and a bomb squad to the area, evacuated the site and set up a perimeter, a South Brunswick detective said. Secret Service also investigated the package, according to the detective. 

They soon learned the box filled with wires really was part of a NASA experiment.

A NASA employee and an intern launched a total of six weather balloons on Sunday, they told police. So far, two of the balloons have been recovered — including the one found Tuesday and another one found in Readington Township, near President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club. 

Police say anyone who finds one of the remaining four balloons has nothing to worry about. 

They don’t have any plans to charge the NASA employee or the intern with a crime for releasing the balloons. 





Source : Nbcnewyork