NASA's vanishing probe crashes back into atmosphere this week after 14-year orbit
The United States Space Administration confirmed that its twin satellite, the Van Allen Probe A (also known as RBSP-A), is re-entering Earth's upper layers and will burn up over land or sea within hours. This historic event marks a dramatic end to nearly two decades of space exploration for this 600-kilogram spacecraft originally launched in August 2014 alongside its sister probe, Van Allen Probe B (RBSP-B). While scientists initially predicted the satellite would remain aloft until at least March or April due to atmospheric drag calculations from that era.
Key Points
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1NASA confirmed that the 600-kilogram Van Allen Probe A will re-enter and crash into Earth's atmosphere on March 12.
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2The probe was originally scheduled for deorbit in late October, but it has returned to its final descent significantly earlier than planned due to atmospheric drag from solar activity. The spacecraft launched alongside a twin sister ship as part of the NASA mission studying Van Allen radiation belts starting August 30
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3Scientists expected this event would occur around March or April next year (2019), but it is happening much sooner.
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4The probe has completed its nearly two-decade journey in orbit, having orbited Earth for approximately fourteen years since launch.
Developments
Perspectives
The NASA satellite known as 'Van Allen Probe A', which has orbited for nearly 14 years, is expected to re-enter the atmosphere and crash on March 9th.
— (24.hu)NASA officials have confirmed that Van Allen Probe A will return from its orbit in an uncontrolled manner due to a malfunction of one engine. The mission was originally scheduled for deorbiting between July-August, but the satellite is expected to crash on March 9th.
— (Rss.stirileprotv.ro)'Van Allen Probe A', which has been in orbit since August 30 last year as part of a NASA mission studying Earth's Van Allen radiation belts with its twin spacecraft, will re-enter the atmosphere and crash on March 9th.
— (Clarin)"The large scientific satellite that for years circled around" is expected to return from orbit in an uncontrolled manner due to one engine malfunction. The NASA mission was originally scheduled between July-August but Van Allen Probe A will re-enter the atmosphere and crash on March 9th.
— (Spidersweb.pl)"Van Allen probe a", which has been launched for more than ten years as part of an Nasa mission to study Earth's radiation belts with its twin spacecraft, is expected to return from orbit in uncontrolled manner due one engine malfunction and will re-enter the atmosphere on March 9th.
— (Indiatoday.in)