NASA Satellite Re-Entry Scheduled for Tuesday Evening
A NASA satellite, Van Allen Probe A, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET, plus or minus 24 hours.
The 1,300-pound spacecraft, launched on Aug. 30, 2012, has been in orbit for 14 years, initially intended for a two-year mission. According to U.S. Space Force officials, most of the satellite will likely burn up upon re-entry, but some components could survive.
NASA has assessed the risk of harm to individuals on the ground as low, estimating odds of approximately 1 in 4,200. The agency stated that Van Allen Probe A provided significant data regarding Earth's radiation belts, which protect the planet from harmful cosmic radiation and solar activity.
The mission, operated by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, concluded after both Van Allen probes ran out of fuel. Van Allen Probe B, the twin of Probe A, is not expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere before 2030.
Authorities are monitoring the situation and will provide updates on the satellite's trajectory as re-entry approaches. There are no lane closures or transportation disruptions reported related to this event.