It is scheduled to make its descent in mid-February. The ESA is unable to dictate where the debris will land or whether it will completely disintegrate during reentry.
Weighing approximately 5,057 pounds (2,294 kg) without fuel, ERS-2 was hailed as Europe’s most advanced Earth-observation spacecraft at its launch.
Despite its mass, objects of similar size reenter the atmosphere on a regular basis. Notably, larger objects, such as China’s Long March 5B rocket core stage, have concerned NASA and other space agencies. They are designed to make uncontrolled descents following each launch.
The larger space debris has a higher risk of causing damage when it hits earth.
Unlike the rapid reentries of recent years, ERS-2’s descent has unfolded gradually over the past 13 years. However, the satellite is now positioned low enough in orbit to be pulled into atmospheric drag rapidly, accelerating the reentry process.
As the satellite hurtles towards Earth, observers may have the opportunity to witness its fiery descent, although the likelihood of impact with populated areas is low, given Earth’s predominantly oceanic surface.
