Is that an Empire TIE fighter? Unfortunately, no. It’s a 2-ton satellite crashing back down to Earth.
Many Star Wars fans probably thought they were dreaming when the European Space Agency published images of what looked like a TIE starfighter in space. Alas, it wasn’t the Empire, but rather glimpses of a decades-old Earth observation satellite making its return home.
The recent images of the satellite, known as the second European Remote Sensing satellite, or ERS-2, were taken by space tech company HEO using cameras onboard other satellites. ESA has been preparing for ERS-2’s reentry since early February. It decommissioned ERS-2 back in 2011 and subsequently began the years-long deorbiting process, which entailed lowering the ERS-2’s altitude to avoid collisions with other satellites and depleting its remaining fuel.
The 2-ton satellite finally made its uncontrolled reentry into Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday, when it reached an altitude of 50 miles (80 kilometers) and began breaking into pieces due to the atmospheric drag. ERS-2 landed in the North Pacific Ocean between Alaska and Hawaii, ESA reported, and there was no damage to property.
“Goodnight everyone. Goodnight ERS-2,” ESA Operations said on X after it confirmed the satellite’s final resting place.
Launched in 1995, ERS-2 was one of the most sophisticated Earth observation satellites ever developed. It featured an array of instruments to measure ocean-surface temperature, winds at sea, and atmospheric ozone. Most importantly, ERS-2 gathered critical data that advanced our understanding of climate change, which was far less understood than it is today, ESA said.
Data from ERS-2 and its sister satellite, ERS-1, have contributed to thousands of scientific papers. The satellites also laid the foundation for future missions on Earth observation, such as Envisat. At 8 tons, Envisat was the largest Earth observation satellite ever built and orbited the planet more than 50,000 times.
In a statement, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs Simonetta Cheli highlighted the insights and new research opportunities gained from the ERS satellites. “The ERS satellites have provided a stream of data which has changed our view of the world in which we live,” Cheli said.
The ERS-2 satellite, resembling a Star Wars TIE fighter, recently made headlines as it made an uncontrolled reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. Although it may have caught the attention of Star Wars fans, the satellite’s return was not a scene from the iconic movie franchise. Instead, it was the culmination of a years-long process by the European Space Agency (ESA) to safely bring the satellite back to Earth.
The images of the satellite, known as ERS-2, were captured by space tech company HEO using cameras onboard other satellites. ESA had been preparing for ERS-2’s reentry since early February, decommissioning the satellite in 2011 and initiating the deorbiting process. This involved lowering ERS-2’s altitude to avoid collisions with other satellites and depleting its remaining fuel.
On Wednesday, ERS-2 finally made its uncontrolled reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, breaking into pieces due to atmospheric drag at an altitude of 50 miles (80 kilometers). The satellite ultimately landed in the North Pacific Ocean between Alaska and Hawaii, causing no damage to property.
Launched in 1995, ERS-2 was a groundbreaking Earth observation satellite. Equipped with advanced instruments, it measured ocean-surface temperature, winds at sea, and atmospheric ozone. Its most significant contribution, however, was in advancing our understanding of climate change during a time when it was not as well understood as it is today, according to ESA.
ERS-2 and its sister satellite, ERS-1, have played a crucial role in scientific research, contributing to thousands of scientific papers. These satellites also paved the way for future Earth observation missions, such as Envisat, which was the largest Earth observation satellite ever built at 8 tons and orbited the planet over 50,000 times.
Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programs, emphasized the transformative impact of the ERS satellites in a statement. She highlighted how the data gathered by these satellites has changed our perspective on the world we live in and opened up new research opportunities.
The successful reentry of ERS-2 marks the end of an era for this pioneering satellite. While it may not have been a Star Wars TIE fighter, its contributions to scientific knowledge and understanding of our planet’s climate cannot be understated. As we bid farewell to ERS-2, we look forward to the continued advancements in Earth observation and the valuable insights they will provide in the future.