"Retired ISS Batteries Re-Enter Earth's Atmosphere in Heaviest Trash Return Yet"

A pallet of used batteries, weighing 2.9 tons, reentered Earth's atmosphere over the Gulf of Mexico after being tossed from the International Space Station in March 2021. The chaotic fall through orbit ended on March 8, with uncertainty about whether the entire pallet burned up or if some parts survived. The European Space Agency estimated a low likelihood of the pallet causing harm on the ground. The uncontrolled reentry was a result of a backlog in the disposal of equipment from the ISS, highlighting the challenges of managing space debris as the space industry continues to grow.