According to calculations, the European Earth remote sensing satellite (ERS) ERS-2, which is not working, will enter the Earth’s atmosphere today. The weight of the satellite will reach 2.5 tons, some of its components will reach the Earth. No one knows exactly where the debris will fall. They can fall anywhere between 80°N and 80°S. In fact, debris could land anywhere except our planet’s poles.

The ERS-2 satellite and its twin, ERS-1, became the forerunner of all subsequent European satellites of the DZZ. These were advanced devices for their time. Thanks to observations made with the help of these platforms, we learned about the dangerous dynamics of melting polar caps and glaciers, about which scientists previously knew nothing. Satellites also transmitted data about earthquakes and their consequences, the level of oceans and seas, the state of ozone holes and much more.

The ERS-2 satellite was launched into space in 1995. It was decommissioned in 2011. With the remaining fuel in the tanks, the orbit of the device was reduced from 780 km to 570 km. It was expected to take it out of orbit for the next 25 years. The ERS-1 satellite could not be shot down. There was a breakout and it remained at an altitude of 700 km, which means a descent into the Earth’s atmosphere within the next 100 years.

According to ESA representatives, the remains of ERS-2 will not contain toxic or radioactive components that will reach Earth. The most likely debris to reach the surface are parts of the fuel tank and an antenna made of heat-resistant carbon fiber.