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A European Space Agency (ESA) satellite, the Earth-observing ERS-2, is anticipated to reenter Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday morning, with a 15-hour window of uncertainty, according to the agency’s Space Debris Office.
The ESA, in collaboration with an international surveillance network, is closely monitoring and tracking the satellite’s trajectory as it prepares for reentry. The exact time of reentry, set for 6:14 a.m. ET, remains uncertain due to factors such as solar activity, which can influence Earth’s atmosphere and the satellite’s path.
The ERS-2 satellite, with an estimated mass of 5,057 pounds (2,294 kilograms), is expected to largely burn up in the atmosphere as it disintegrates approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. While some fragments may reach the planet’s surface, they are unlikely to contain harmful substances and are anticipated to fall into the ocean.
ERS-2, launched on April 21, 1995, played a vital role in gathering data on Earth’s polar caps, oceans, and land surfaces, as well as monitoring natural disasters like flooding and earthquakes. After concluding its mission in 2011, the satellite underwent a series of deorbiting maneuvers to ensure a controlled descent, avoiding the accumulation of space debris in orbit.
Despite the satellite’s impending reentry, the risk posed by space debris to individuals on Earth remains minimal, with the likelihood of injury estimated at less than 1 in 100 billion per year, significantly lower than other everyday risks.
