A defunct European Space Agency (ESA) satellite called ERS-2 is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere soon, with predictions indicating a potential reentry time around 12:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Weighing over 5,000 lbs. (2294 kg), similar to the weight of an adult rhinoceros, the satellite is anticipated to break apart upon reentry, with most fragments likely burning up in the atmosphere before reaching the Earth's surface.
The ESA has assured that the satellite does not contain any toxic or radioactive substances, minimizing the risk to individuals on the ground. The agency has stated that the likelihood of a person being harmed by the space debris is less than 1 in a billion.
Launched on Apr. 21, 1995, the ERS-2 satellite was a groundbreaking Earth observation spacecraft, considered the most advanced of its kind in Europe at the time. After 16 years of operation, the satellite was decommissioned in 2011, and measures were taken to de-orbit it safely.
During the de-orbiting process, the satellite's fuel was depleted to reduce the risk of explosion upon reentry, which could have generated significant space debris. The ESA also lowered the satellite's altitude to ensure a faster decay and reentry within 15 years, preventing collisions with other satellites.
As part of the de-orbiting procedure, the satellite's internal systems were shut down, including its communication antenna and onboard electronics, rendering it uncontrollable from Earth. Consequently, the ESA cannot determine the exact reentry location or trajectory of the satellite.
Despite the uncertainty, the ESA is collaborating with an international network of partners, such as the United States Space Surveillance Network, to track the satellite's movements using sensors. Updates on the satellite's reentry progress are being provided on the ESA's website.
As of 12:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the ESA reported that they had reached the end of the final reentry window without new observations of ERS-2. While it is possible that the satellite has already reentered, confirmation is pending information from partner organizations.
For further developments and updates on the ERS-2 satellite's reentry, the ESA will continue to provide information on its website.
