Van Allen Probe A Re-Entry
A spacecraft weighing more than 1,300 pounds (600 kg), known as the Van Allen Probe A, is anticipated to re-enter Earth's atmosphere nearly 14 years after its launch, according to NASA.
The US Space Force has predicted the re-entry to occur around 19:45 EST (00:45 GMT) on Tuesday, as reported by NASA, although there is a 24-hour margin of uncertainty regarding the exact timing.
The Van Allen Probe A, launched in 2012, is expected to mostly disintegrate upon atmospheric entry, with some components potentially surviving the descent.
The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as "low" risk.
Mission Background and Objectives
The spacecraft, along with its twin Van Allen Probe B, was tasked with collecting unprecedented data on Earth's two permanent radiation belts.
At this time, the precise location within Earth's atmosphere where the satellite will re-enter is not confirmed. The BBC has reached out to NASA for additional information.
Both NASA and the US Space Force have stated they will monitor the re-entry closely and provide updates on any revised predictions.
Mission Duration and Achievements
Originally designed for a two-year mission, the Van Allen Probes operated for nearly seven years. The mission concluded after the spacecraft exhausted their fuel supplies and lost the ability to maintain orientation toward the Sun.
From 2012 to 2019, the probes traversed the rings of charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field to study the dynamics of particle gain and loss, according to NASA.
These rings, known as the Van Allen belts, serve as a protective shield for Earth against cosmic radiation, solar storms, and the solar wind, all of which pose risks to human health and technological systems.
The mission yielded significant discoveries, including the first evidence of a transient third radiation belt that can form during periods of intense solar activity, NASA reported.
Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere before 2030.
