Photographs Capture European Satellite’s Fiery Descent Towards Earth
In a stunning display of nature’s power, photographs taken from space have captured the fiery descent of a big dead satellite as it hurtles towards Earth’s atmosphere. The European Space Agency’s (ESA) ERS-2 Earth observation satellite, which launched in 1995 and spent 16 years observing our planet, is finally meeting its end in a spectacular fashion. Australian commercial imaging company HEO Robotics was able to capture these incredible images on February 14, 2024, as the satellite made its ungraceful fall towards our planet.
The ERS-2, also known as the European Remote Sensing 2, had been performing its mission until 2011 when it reached the end of its operational life. In that year, ESA conducted numerous deorbiting maneuvers over a span of two months to ensure a safe demise for the satellite in Earth’s atmosphere. Now, after more than a decade of careful planning, the long-awaited reentry of the ERS-2 is expected to take place this week.
According to an update from ESA on Sunday, February 18, the reentry is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21, at 10:19 a.m. ET (1519 GMT), give or take around 19 hours. However, due to the unpredictable nature of solar activity and its impact on Earth’s atmosphere density, there is still some uncertainty surrounding the exact timing and location of the satellite’s descent. As the time draws nearer, experts hope to gain a better understanding of where it will come down.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the event, ESA reassures the public that such reentry maneuvers are normal and safe. The agency emphasizes that the ERS-2 had already burned up its remaining fuel during the deorbiting maneuvers in 2011. Furthermore, meticulous planning was undertaken to ensure that the satellite would not collide with other spacecraft or space debris, thereby safeguarding the integrity of our busy space highways.
The importance of deorbiting satellites at the end of their life cannot be overstated. By ensuring their reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, we can effectively clear our space highways from defunct satellites and prevent collisions in orbit. Additionally, this practice helps mitigate the creation of further space debris, which poses a significant threat to future space exploration.
The ERS-2 holds a special place in European space history as the most sophisticated Earth-observation spacecraft ever developed and launched by Europe. Weighing an impressive 5,047 pounds (2,294 kg) when empty, the satellite is a substantial piece of space debris. However, reentries of objects of this size are not uncommon. According to ESA’s FAQ, similar-sized space junk burns up in Earth’s atmosphere every few weeks.
As the ERS-2 approaches Earth, it is expected to break up into smaller fragments once it reaches an altitude of about 50 miles (80 km). The majority of these fragments will burn up in the atmosphere, creating a mesmerizing display for those lucky enough to witness it. Any remaining fragments are predicted to fall into the ocean, minimizing the risk of damage on land. Importantly, ESA assures us that none of these fragments will contain any toxic or radioactive substances, alleviating concerns about potential environmental hazards.
The fiery descent of the ERS-2 serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between humanity’s presence in space and the need to protect our planet and its surroundings. As we continue to explore and expand our reach into the cosmos, it is crucial that we prioritize responsible practices to ensure the sustainability and safety of our endeavors. The reentry of the ERS-2 marks another successful step in this ongoing mission.
