Current:Home > FinanceEuropean Space Agency predicts when dead satellite likely to return to Earth-LoTradeCoin
European Space Agency predicts when dead satellite likely to return to Earth
View Date:2025-01-14 10:13:41
It went up, therefore it has to come down.
A defunct satellite is set to return to Earth this week after completing its over-a-decade mission.
ERS-2, one of the European Space Agency's first advanced Earth observing satellites, will make a "natural" re-entry after staying in space for 16 years. The agency predicts that the satellite will re-enter the atmosphere on Wednesday around 10 a.m. ET, as of Sunday afternoon.
The satellite was launched in 1995 and though it was originally planned to serve the ESA for three years, it remained in operation until 2011 providing data for over 5,000 projects. The satellite tracked the planet's shrinking polar ice, sea levels and atmospheric make-up.
After its final image, the ESA conducted 66 de-orbiting maneuvers that prevented the satellite from remaining in space for over 100 years.
The majority of the 2.5 ton satellite will disintegrate in Earth's atmosphere, according to the agency. Remaining debris is likely to land in a body of water, though the agency does not have a prediction on where it will land.
How ERS-2 spent its time in space
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Fighting conspiracy theories with comedy? That’s what the Onion hopes after its purchase of Infowars
- Professional bowler arrested during tournament, facing child pornography charges
- How the Search for 11-Year-Old Audrii Cunningham Turned Into a Devastating Murder Case
- At 99, this amazing Holocaust survivor and musician is still beating the drum for peace
- Wisconsin agency issues first round of permits for Enbridge Line 5 reroute around reservation
- Fulton County D.A.'s office disputes new Trump claims about Fani Willis' relationship with her deputy Nathan Wade
- Checking a bag will cost you more on United Airlines, which is copying a similar move by American
- Score Exclusive Deals During Tory Burch's Private Sale, With Chic Finds Under $100
- Two 'incredibly rare' sea serpents seen in Southern California waters months apart
- At the Florida Man Games, tank-topped teams compete at evading police, wrestling over beer
Ranking
- Watch as dust storm that caused 20-car pileup whips through central California
- Military officials say small balloon spotted over Western U.S. poses no security risk
- Howard University is making history as the first HBCU to take part in a figure skating competition
- Indiana shuts down Caitlin Clark. Masterpiece could be start of something special
- California voters reject proposed ban on forced prison labor in any form
- Chief enforcer of US gun laws fears Americans may become numb to violence with each mass shooting
- Backstory of disputed ‘Hotel California’ lyrics pages ‘just felt thin,’ ex-auction exec tells court
- Stained glass window showing dark-skinned Jesus Christ heading to Memphis museum
Recommendation
-
Mississippi governor intent on income tax cut even if states receive less federal money
-
Blake Lively Reveals Rule She and Ryan Reynolds Made Early on in Their Relationship
-
Remains identified as Oregon teen Sandra Young over half a century after she went missing
-
At 99, this amazing Holocaust survivor and musician is still beating the drum for peace
-
Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
-
Don't screw it up WWE: Women's championship matches need to main event WrestleMania 40
-
Trump says his criminal indictments boosted his appeal to Black voters
-
Indiana teacher found dead in school stairwell after failing to show for pickup by relative