A satellite from the European Space Agency was expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up on Wednesday morning.
According to the most recent update on Space.com, it is expected to take place at 12:05 p.m. EST (1541 GMT).
The movement of the ERS-2 satellite is currently being tracked by the agency's Space Debris Office.
The satellite was predicted to enter the atmosphere around 3:53 p.m. ET. on Wednesday. While this is the predicted time, there is also a 7.5-hour window of uncertainty. The ESA is also providing live updates on its website.
Due to solar activity and how uncertain it can be, the exact time will remain up in the air until closer to the time of impact. The solar activity can completely change how the atmosphere tugs on the satellite.
According to a statement from the agency, “As the spacecraft’s reentry is ‘natural’, without the possibility to perform manoeuvers, it is impossible to know exactly where and when it will reenter the atmosphere and begin to burn up,”
When the satellite reaches about 50 miles above Earth's surface, it is predicted to disintegrate. - Most of the fragments are expected to burn up as they re-enter the atmosphere. Although some fragments may make it all the way down to the planet's surface, they will not contain any hazardous materials and are likely to fall into the ocean.
The ERS-2 satellite will weigh a total of around 5,057 pounds after its fuel has been depleted. From this, the satellite will be very similar in size compared to other debris that enters the Earth's atmosphere on a weekly basis.
About the satellite:
The ERS-2 satellite was first launched on April 21, 1995. It was one of Europe's most sophisticated satellites to be launched at the time.
The satellite collected valuable data on the planet’s polar caps, oceans, and land surfaces and observed disasters while also monitoring natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes in remote regions.
The data gathered by ERS-2 is still used today, according to the agency.
The agency made the collective decision to de-orbit it in 2011.
Through doing 66 de-orbiting maneuvers in both July and August of 2011, the rest of its fuel was burned up. Its altitude was decreased and the satellite was expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere within the next 15 years.
In July and August of 2011, the satellite performed 66 deorbiting maneuvers. These maneuvers utilized the remaining fuel of the satellite and decreased its altitude. As a result, ERS-2's orbit was set on a trajectory that will gradually bring it closer to Earth, causing it to reenter the atmosphere within the next 15 years. The mission officially concluded on September 11 of the same year.
According to the Space Agency, the probability of an individual being injured by space debris in a year is less than one in 100 billion. This risk is roughly 1.5 million times lower than the risk of dying due to an accident at home.
Additional information can be found on Space .com