CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An old Earth-observing satellite fell out of orbit Wednesday and harmlessly broke apart over the Pacific.
The European Remote Sensing 2 satellite reentered halfway between Hawaii and Alaska. The European Space Agency confirmed the demise of the 5,000-pound (2,300-kilogram) spacecraft, known as ERS-2.
No damage or injuries were reported. Experts had expected most of the satellite to burn up.
Launched in 1995, the spacecraft was retired in 2011. Flight controllers quickly lowered its orbit to avoid hitting other satellites, using up all the fuel, and natural orbital decay took care of the rest. Its entry was uncontrolled, and so the precise location could not be predicted.
“Gone, but not forgotten,” ESA said on X, formerly Twitter. “ERS-2 left a remarkable legacy of data that still continue to advance science.”
Its predecessor, ERS-1, which failed and stopped working decades ago, remains in orbit.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Powerful ethnic armed group in western Myanmar claims to capture base and hundreds of soldiers
China and Indonesia call for cease
Bruno Tonioli, 68, reveals he needs Botox after feeling 'wrinkly' next to Britain's Got Talent co
25 years after Columbine, trauma shadows survivors of the school shooting
Khloe Kardashian, 39, cradles 'my baby' Tatum, 20 months, on private jet in heart
Ukraine welcomes fresh military aid from EU
College protests: Columbia University cancels main commencement
Gen Zs' latest obsession of 'anti
With college football drama behind him, Devontez Walker eager to show his talent with Baltimore
Feud: Capote vs The Swans review