European Satellite Returns to Earth After 13-Year Mission
A European satellite that was launched in 1995 to observe Earth has finally returned to our planet after completing its mission 13 years ago. The European Space Agency (ESA) announced that debris from the satellite fell over the North Pacific Ocean on Wednesday. This marked the end of a remarkable journey for the satellite, which had exceeded its planned 3-year lifetime by a significant margin.
Satellite’s Controlled Descent
The satellite’s altitude had been gradually declining since the ESA made the decision to retire it in 2011. On Wednesday, it reached a critical altitude of approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) above Earth’s surface. At this point, the atmospheric drag became so strong that the satellite began to break into pieces, according to the ESA.
The controlled descent of the satellite was a deliberate measure taken by the ESA to prevent the creation of additional space debris in Earth’s orbit. This was crucial to avoid any potential threats to active satellites and the International Space Station. The majority of the satellite burned up upon reentering the Earth’s atmosphere, while some fragments fell into the sea below.
A Heavy Satellite Returns
The satellite had an estimated mass of around 2,294 kg after being depleted of fuel. The ESA stated that objects of similar mass reenter Earth’s atmosphere every week or two on average. Despite concerns about potential harm to humans, experts from the ESA reassured the public that the chances of being hit by satellite debris were extremely low.
“The odds of a piece of satellite falling on someone’s head is estimated at one in a billion,” said Benjamin Bastida Virgili, an ESA space debris system engineer.
The Legacy of ERS-2
The satellite in question is known as ERS-2, or European Remote Sensing satellite. It was launched as a successor to ERS-1, which had been sent into space four years earlier. ERS-2 was Europe’s most advanced Earth observation satellite at the time of its launch, according to the ESA.
Over its 16 years of operation, ERS-2 provided invaluable data that deepened our understanding of climate change. It offered insights into diminishing polar ice, changing land surfaces, rising sea levels, warming oceans, and atmospheric chemistry. Additionally, the satellite played a crucial role in monitoring natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes in remote areas of the world.
The successful completion of ERS-2’s mission is a testament to the advancements in space technology and the dedication of scientists and engineers at the ESA. The data collected by the satellite will continue to contribute to our understanding of Earth’s environment and aid in the development of strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In conclusion, the return of the European satellite after its 13-year mission is a significant milestone in space exploration. The controlled descent of the satellite demonstrates the responsible approach taken by the ESA to prevent the accumulation of space debris. The legacy of ERS-2 and its contributions to climate research will be remembered as a remarkable achievement in our quest to understand and protect our planet.