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On February 20, 2024, CNN reported that a defunct 5,000-pound satellite, ERS-2, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1995, is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and disintegrate on February 21. The ESA is tracking the satellite’s descent in real-time on its website, with an anticipated re-entry time of 8:14 PM KST / 6:14 AM EST on February 20.
However, the exact timing remains uncertain due to a 15-hour margin of error and the current solar maximum—a period of heightened solar activity that affects atmospheric density and satellite drag.
The ESA explained that the 5000-pound ERS-2 (excluding fuel) is similar to other space debris that has fallen to Earth. The ERS-2 is expected to disintegrate at an altitude of about 50 miles due to the impact of the atmosphere, and all remaining fragments are expected to burn up.
NASA assessed that the fragments pose no significant problem as they contain no harmful substances, and larger debris is likely to fall into the sea. They also evaluated the chance of an individual getting injured due to this incident, which is a mere one in a hundred billion.
The ERS-2 satellite, designed for Earth observation, worked alongside its predecessor, ERS-1, to gather vital data on the Earth’s polar regions, oceans, and surface features. This data contributed to the study of weather patterns and natural disasters.
However, after experiencing operational issues in July 2011 that led to more than 66 deviations from its orbit in two months, the ESA officially concluded the ERS-2 mission in September 2011. Having exhausted its fuel, the satellite has been in a decommissioned state for the past 13 years, culminating in its imminent re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
seongskim@news1.kr