This week, a large satellite will plummet to the ground as it ends its twenty-year orbit around the Earth. The "dead" satellite, called the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), was used for studying the ozone layer and other chemical compounds in Earth's
atmosphere. Originally sent for a 3-year mission, it lasted for 14 years, until more recent technologies rendered it outdated. It was expected to fall in early October, but recent solar activity has caused the Earth's atmosphere to expand, which in turn slowed down the spacecraft. Officials are unsure as to exactly when and where it will come in contact with Earth. However, they are certain that the UARS will enter the atmosphere within a day of this Friday. Of the 6.5 tons of spacecraft, 0.5 tons of it (at least twenty pieces) are expected to pass through the atmosphere and land on Earth, the largest piece estimated to being around 331 pounds. This fact raises a concern: could it be dangerous? NASA has estimated that the chances of the debris hitting a person is 1 out of 3,200, which is highly unlikely. Also, on average, one satellite as large as the UARS falls into Earth each year, and no one has ever been hit by spacecraft debris. Despite this possibility, many scientists and sky-watchers (including myself) will be looking for the satellite this weekend.
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