"Upcoming Reentry: Large Dead Satellite Set to Crash into Earth"

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Source: USA TODAY
"Upcoming Reentry: Large Dead Satellite Set to Crash into Earth"
Photo: USA TODAY
TL;DR

The European Space Agency predicts that its defunct satellite, ERS-2, will naturally re-enter Earth's atmosphere on Wednesday after 16 years in space, following over a decade of Earth observation. Launched in 1995, the satellite exceeded its planned three-year mission, providing data for over 5,000 projects until 2011. The majority of the 2.5 ton satellite is expected to disintegrate upon re-entry, with any remaining debris likely to land in a body of water.

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