Impact site unclear: NASA research probe about to crash uncontrollably
A NASA probe that has researched Earth's radiation belt for years is about to crash. Where this will happen cannot yet be said.
Artistic representation of the two research probes
(Image: NASA)
In the early hours of Wednesday, one of two NASA probes for researching Earth's radiation belt will crash uncontrollably. Where exactly this will happen is unclear. The US space agency has now announced this and explained that it is the Van Allen Probe A. Together with the Van Allen Probe B, it studied the Van Allen radiation belt until both ran out of fuel, which they needed to orient themselves towards the sun. When they ended their mission in 2019, it was assumed that they would burn up in the atmosphere in 2034, but the recently unexpectedly active sun has ensured that the crash is already imminent. According to the US Space Force, the probe is scheduled to crash on March 11 at 3 a.m. CET, but this could happen as early as now and up to 24 hours later.
Dangerous region explored
The Van Allen Probes were launched on August 30, 2012, and were intended to explore the radiation belt for two years. This is a ring of charged elementary particles trapped in Earth's magnetic field. The radiation there is dangerous for humans and electronics, which is why stays of spacecraft there are kept as short as possible. The two probes were the first specifically designed to travel there for years and collect measurement data, NASA writes. Ultimately, they were able to do this for seven years and significantly expand knowledge of the radiation belt. Because a controlled crash was not planned, both will fall to Earth when the resistance of the atmosphere abruptly ends their slow descent. For the Van Allen Probe B, this is expected to happen in 2030.
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With a mass of about 600 kg, the Van Allen Probe A is so small that it should largely burn up during the crash, NASA still writes. However, it is to be expected that some parts will survive the crash. These would then fall to the Earth's surface or into the ocean. Since a large part of the Earth is covered by water, this is also the most likely end. Nevertheless, debris can also hit land and even inhabited areas. The risk of anyone being harmed is only 1 in 4200, the US space agency assures. It will observe the crash together with the US Space Force for as long as possible. However, the danger may be too late to assess for a warning of potentially affected areas.
(mho)
