Ariane

"The most plausible object it could be is the upper stage separation ring from an Ariane rocket in 2008," its launch director, Matt Archer, said.

The Ariane was Europe's main rocket launch vehicle, helping more than 230 satellites into orbit, before it was retired in 2023.

The meeting came after Ms Murray walked 200-miles from the site of her 29-year-old son's death, alongside 21 other people at the Ariane Grande concert at Manchester Arena in 2017, all the way to London to campaign for Martyn's Law.

Europe's big new rocket, Ariane-6, has blasted off on its maiden flight.

This left Ariane's upper-stage unable to initiate the burn that was supposed to bring it out of orbit and also set up the final task of the mission – to jettison two re-entry capsules.