Van Allen Probe A Reenters Atmosphere Over Pacific: NASA

On Wednesday, an old NASA science satellite, the Van Allen Probe A, reentered the Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean in an uncontrolled manner. The U.S.

Space Force reported that the spacecraft came down west of the Galapagos Islands. NASA estimated that some parts of the 1,323-pound spacecraft would survive reentry, with the majority burning up upon entering the atmosphere, posing a 1-in-4,200 risk of bodily harm.

Launched in 2012, the Van Allen Probe A and its twin, the Van Allen Probe B, studied the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding Earth for seven years before ceasing operation in 2019 due to fuel depletion. While the Van Allen Probe A met its end recently, the Van Allen Probe B is still orbiting and is not expected to reenter until 2030.

The difficult and unpredictable nature of satellite reentries was highlighted by Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek, especially in the case of the Van Allen Probe A with its eccentric and lopsided orbit.