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A NASA Telescope Is Predicted to Crash Back to Earth Within Hours
The New York Times • • science
Key Points:
- NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is expected to crash back to Earth within hours, with most of its 1.5-ton structure burning up upon re-entry into the atmosphere.
- Some larger, heavier components made of materials like titanium and nickel may survive the descent and reach the Earth's surface.
- The Aerospace Corporation predicts the re-entry will occur around 5:19 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, with a margin of two hours.
- NASA estimates the chance of injury from falling debris at about one in 2,100, but many regions, including Europe and the United States, face no risk due to the spacecraft’s orbital path.
- The Swift Observatory’s orbit is inclined at 20.6 degrees to the Equator, meaning areas north of 20.6 degrees north latitude and south of 20.6 degrees south latitude are safe from debris impact.
