The 26ft object is believed to be part of the Centaur rocket launched by America’s Surveyor 2 lander in 1966, which was swept into the Sun’s orbit after being discharged

Asteroid 2020 QG made a record close approach to Earth (Image)

A NASA rocket part the size of a bus appears to be hurtling back towards Earth at 1,500mph, over 54 years after being launched.

A team at the space programme agency had attempted a Moon landing in 1966, which saw the rocket swept into the Sun’s orbit after releasing its lander, which then crashed thanks to a thruster malfunction.

The object, likely around 26ft long, was initially mistaken for an asteroid – and named asteroid 2020 SO – when a Hawaii telescope picked it up in September.

However, experts are now convinced it is the upper section of the Centaur rocket launched by America’s Surveyor 2 lander.