WHAT’S THAT IN THE SKY?
Yes, if you happen to see a huge chunk of metal plummeting toward the earth tomorrow, chances are it’s the re-entry of NASA’s Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (also known as UARS).
The satellite, which was originally launched to evaluate the ozone layer, has been out of service for years. Initially, NASA believed the satellite would simply fall out of earth’s orbit and drift somewhere into outer space. But unfortunately, UARS and several thousand other non-working satellites, clutter up the space above the earth and will eventually have to fall back to us at some point. And that day has apparently come for UARS. According to NASA: “As of Sept. 18, 2011, the orbit of UARS was 133 mi by 149 mi (215 km by 240 km). Re-entry is expected Sept. 23, plus or minus a day.”
NASA says the satellite will not completely burn up in the atmosphere, but is expected to break into pieces during re-entry. In the interest of calming the general public, NASA also said the risk to public safety or property is extremely small. But the largest piece is approximately 300 pounds (ouch!) and it has to fall somewhere. “Since the beginning of the Space Age in the late-1950s, there have been no confirmed reports of an injury resulting from re-entering space objects. Nor is there a record of significant property damage resulting from a satellite re-entry,” NASA says. Does that calm your concerns? Hmmm…
So if you happen to be sitting in the park, or in your own backyard, or just skipping down the street, keep your eyes focused on the sky tomorrow. No one knows yet just where in the world those pieces of satellite might fall.
Still, NASA advises that if you happen to find a piece of UARS, don’t touch it! But call your local law enforcement immediately!
TO TRACK THE MOVEMENT OF UARS, CLICK HERE.
