SPACE — On November 10 2013, the European GOCE satellite fell to Earth. GOCE is an abbreviation for Gravity field and Steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer. Its mission is to map the Earth’s gravitational field.
GOCE carried out its duties for four years. Then it ran out of fuel.
At that time, controllers on Earth were unsure where GOCE would fall or whether it would remain in orbit. Some people worry that the satellite body will crash into populated areas.
However, the small spacecraft broke up in the atmosphere and did not cause any property damage to the world. It broke up about 50 miles above the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Also Read: Today’s History: NASA Launches Indonesia’s Palapa B2-P Satellite
The European Space Agency (ESA) called the mission a success. GOCE lasted much longer than expected.
The mission pinpointed small variations in Earth’s gravity, mapped the structure of the Earth’s crust and mantle, and tracked ocean currents. Source: Space.com
2023-11-10 15:00:00
#History #Today #Europes #GOCE #Satellite #Falls #Space #Space #Space
