NASA satellite reentering atmosphere after years in orbit

https://thehill.com/homenews/space/5776626-nasa-satellite-reentry-earth/

A 1,300-pound NASA satellite is set to reenter Earth’s atmosphere Tuesday evening after more than a decade in orbit, according to projections from the agency and U.S. Space Force.

The spacecraft, Van Allen Probe A, was one of two satellites launched in August 2012 to gather data on Earth’s permanent radiation belts, for which they are named.

“The belts shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms, and the constantly streaming solar wind that are harmful to humans and can damage technology, so understanding them is important,” NASA officials wrote in a Monday news release.

The U.S. Space Force predicts that the satellite will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere on Tuesday at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET, plus or minus 24 hours.
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