A satellite from NASA known as Van Allen Probe A is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere nearly 14 years after its launch in 2012.
The roughly 600kg spacecraft could plunge back around 19:45 EST on Tuesday, according to tracking by the United States Space Force.
Though scientists say there’s about a 24-hour window of uncertainty.
Should people be worried? Probably not. Most of the spacecraft will burn up during re-entry, NASA says, with only a few pieces potentially surviving the intense heat.
The agency estimates the chance of anyone being harmed by debris at about one in 4,200—a risk it describes as very low.
The probe, along with its twin Van Allen Probe B, spent years exploring the mysterious Van Allen radiation belts.
Van Allen Probe Farewell
Rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field that help shield the planet from harmful cosmic radiation and solar storms.
Originally designed for a two-year mission, the probes kept working for nearly seven years, even discovering a temporary third radiation belt during intense solar activity.
As Probe A prepares for its fiery farewell, its partner remains in orbit—expected to circle Earth quietly until around 2030.
Sometimes, even space explorers eventually find their way back home.
