MELBOURNE, Australia – A commercial imaging company captured spectacular images of a dead satellite hurtling towards Earth’s atmosphere. On February 14, 2024, HEO Robotics was able to photograph the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ERS-2 Earth observation satellite as it made its fiery descent. Launched in 1995, the ERS-2 spent 16 years observing the planet from space until its mission concluded in 2011. On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the satellite is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere, with the exact location of impact yet to be determined by ESA.
ESA’s update on Sunday, February 18, mentioned that the reentry of ERS-2 is estimated to occur at 10:19 a.m. ET, plus or minus around 19 hours, due to the unpredictable influence of solar activity. The agency emphasized the normalcy and safety of such reentry maneuvers, stating that ERS-2’s descent had been meticulously planned to avoid collisions with other spacecraft or space debris.
According to ESA officials, the ERS-2 was the most sophisticated Earth observation spacecraft developed and launched by Europe, weighing 5,047 pounds (2,294 kg) when empty. However, this size of a satellite reentry is not uncommon. Similar-sized pieces of space debris burn up in Earth’s atmosphere every few weeks, as noted in ESA’s FAQ. As ERS-2 reaches about 50 miles above Earth, it is expected to break up into smaller fragments, with the vast majority burning up in the atmosphere. Any remnants that make it to Earth’s surface are expected to fall into the ocean and will not contain toxic or radioactive substances, according to ESA.
The reentry of ERS-2 symbolizes a crucial step in ensuring the safety of space travel by preventing collisions in orbit and mitigating the creation of further space debris. As the satellite completes its journey back to Earth, the event serves as a reminder of the significance of responsible satellite disposal and the continuous effort to keep space highways clear of lingering satellites and debris.