The European Space Agency’s Earth observation satellite ERS-2 is out of control and on track to collide with Earth.
It is expected to enter Earth’s atmosphere and most of its fragments will decay. This satellite was launched into orbit in 1995.
The ESA Space Debris Office estimates that the re-entry of this approximately two-ton satellite will occur around 7:25 p.m. GMT on February 21, with an uncertainty of plus or minus 9.9 hours, according to the latest recorded data.
This concern is due to the influence of unpredictable solar activity, which affects the density of the Earth’s atmosphere and therefore the satellite’s drag.
The satellite burns up as it approaches Earth
When the satellite is about 80 kilometers from Earth, it will begin to fall into pieces and most of its parts will burn completely. The risks associated with the re-entry of satellites are very low, reminds the ESA.
However, according to the agency, some small fragments may remain; In this case, they will most likely fall into the sea.
ERS-2 was launched in 1995, following in the footsteps of its sister satellite ERS-1, which had launched four years earlier. According to ESA, these were the most advanced Earth observation satellites ever developed.
Photo: European Space Agency (ESA)
Since 2011, the satellite’s re-entry began
Since 2011, the agency has decommissioned ERS-2 and begun the satellite’s controlled re-entry process. Now the time has come when the satellite enters the atmosphere naturally (uncontrolled) and begins to disintegrate.
After ESA declared its mission ended in 2011, its altitude was reduced from around 785 kilometers to 573 kilometers to minimize the risk of a collision with other satellites.
Additionally, they ensured that all batteries and pressure systems were drained or secured and that electronic systems were turned off.
This reduced the risk of an internal failure that would cause the satellite to break up at an altitude where there were active satellites.
The removal of this satellite was carried out taking into account the space debris reduction guidelines that ESA imposed on new projects at the time, “demonstrating the agency’s strong commitment to space debris reduction.”
After 13 years of orbit degradation, the satellite will naturally re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, which is expected tomorrow. The closer the re-entry gets, the more confident experts can predict the time and place.
ESA’s Space Debris Office is following it closely and in coordination with several international partners.
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