Remarkable pictures have been released showing a large satellite spinning out of control as it falls back towards Earth. The satellite, which used to help scientists study our planet, is expected to enter the atmosphere soon and mostly burn up.
ERS-2: A Pioneer in Earth Observation
The satellite is called ERS-2. It was built by the European Space Agency (ESA) many years ago. Its job was to take detailed pictures of Earth’s land, oceans, and ice. This helped scientists learn more about climate change and how our planet is changing. However, the satellite became old and was retired.
Why is it Falling?
Satellites orbit Earth very high up, where Earth’s pull of gravity is weaker. Even so, there’s still a tiny bit of air up there, creating drag that gradually slows satellites down. This particular satellite doesn’t have any engines to boost it back to a safer height. The space agency can no longer control the satellite, so it’s tumbling chaotically and falling back to Earth.
What Will Happen?
Most of the satellite will burn up when it hits the denser parts of Earth’s atmosphere. This will create a dramatic ‘shooting star’ effect! While some large chunks of metal might survive, the chances of anyone getting hurt are incredibly low. Experts are constantly tracking the satellite, trying to work out where these larger pieces may land. They are confident that any surviving debris will fall harmlessly into the ocean or unpopulated areas.
A Common Event
While it sounds worrying, objects fall back to Earth from space all the time. Many are small pieces of space junk, but sometimes old satellites fall back too. Luckily, they rarely cause any problems.
Space Debris: A Growing Concern
While the dramatic demise of ERS-2 underscores the natural end of a satellite’s lifecycle, it also highlights the burgeoning issue of space debris. Thousands of defunct satellites and countless fragments of old rockets orbit Earth. With each launch, this celestial junkyard grows, posing potential hazards to active spacecraft and future space exploration.
