A Massive 3-Ton Space Station Object Nears Plunge Towards Earth
In a thrilling turn of events, a nearly 3-ton object that was tossed overboard from the International Space Station (ISS) is now hurtling towards Earth. The object in question is the Exposed Pallet 9 (EP9), which was jettisoned from the space station back in March 2021. At the time, it made headlines as the most massive object ever discarded from the ISS. This practice of disposing of used or unnecessary equipment is a common occurrence aboard the space station, as these objects typically burn up harmlessly upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
As EP9 approaches its reentry, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief’s National Warning Center 1 in Bonn, Germany issued a statement to inform the public about the situation. The translated statement reads, “Between midday on March 8 and midday on March 9, a larger space object is expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and possibly fragment. The object is battery packs from the International Space Station (ISS). Luminous phenomena or the perception of a sonic boom are possible.”
Fortunately, the probability of debris hitting Germany is considered to be very low, as stated in the warning center’s post. However, they assure the public that if the risk increases, new information will be provided. To aid in visualizing the possible tracks of reentry, Germany’s Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief released a map indicating where the battery pallet could potentially make its descent.
Astronomer Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics also shared some insights on social media. According to his post, the battery is expected to reenter between 7:30 a.m. ET (1230 GMT) and 3:30 a.m. ET (0830 UTC) on March 9. McDowell further adds that the battery will not completely burn up upon reentry, with approximately half a tonne of fragments likely to hit the Earth’s surface.
In anticipation of the EP9’s reentry, satellite tracker Marco Langbroek managed to capture a glimpse of the battery as it passed over the Netherlands. Despite the cloudy sky, Langbroek shared a video of the bright and fast object on X (formerly Twitter), providing a thrilling preview of what is to come.
The EP9, loaded with old Nickel-Hydrogen batteries, was originally delivered to the ISS via Japan’s HTV-9 (Kountori 9) on May 20, 2020. It carried six Lithium-Ion battery Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs), which were used to replace existing ISS Nickel-Hydrogen batteries during an astronaut spacewalk.
As we eagerly await the reentry of this massive space station object, it is important to remember that while there may be some excitement surrounding its descent, the risk to human life and property is minimal. The disposal of objects like EP9 is a routine procedure that ensures the safety and efficiency of future space missions. So, keep your eyes on the sky and marvel at the wonders of our ever-expanding universe.