After nearly 30 years in orbit, the European Space Agency’s ERS-2 satellite re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at around 6:17 pm CET on February 21. ERS-2, which was launched in 1995 with a planned mission life of three years, has been instrumental in collecting data on the ozone layer, ocean temperature, and human impact on the planet. Due to growing concerns about space debris, the ESA decided to initiate the deorbiting process in 2011.
The final images of the satellite were captured by the Tracking and Imaging Radar (TIRA) at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, on February 19, 20, and 21. The images revealed that the satellite’s solar array had detached from the main body, possibly affecting its re-entry trajectory and timing. The satellite’s uncontrolled re-entry resulted in its fragmentation over the North Pacific Ocean, with no reported damage to property.
