NASA’s Van Allen Probe A satellite, launched in 2012, is returning to Earth after completing its mission.
The spacecraft studied Earth’s radiation belts and stayed active much longer than its planned two-year mission.
Experts say the risk of damage is very low as most of the satellite will burn up in the atmosphere.
Van Allen Probe A, a 14-year-old NASA satellite which weighs around 600 kg, is to crash-land on Earth. The spacecraft has been orbiting Earth since 2012. It was launched to help the scientists study the high-energy radiation belts that surround Earth. Scientists say the satellite has now reached the end of its journey and will make an uncontrolled re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. While headlines about a satellite crash may sound alarming, experts say the chances of any damage are extremely small. Here is the complete story of the Van Allen Probe A summarised in five brief points.
1. When, why and where was the satellite launched
Van Allen Probe A was launched on August 30, 2012, along with its twin spacecraft Van Allen Probe B. The mission was led by NASA to study the radiation belts that surround Earth, known as the Van Allen radiation belts.
These belts are areas around Earth where many charged particles are trapped by Earth’s magnetic field. They can disturb satellites, communication systems, and even astronauts in space. Two probes were sent to pass through these strong radiation areas and gather information about how the Sun and space weather change these belts.
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2. Why the two-year mission lasted much longer
The mission was originally planned to last only two years. However, scientists allowed it to continue operating far beyond its original timeline, as both spacecraft remained in space for the prolonged period and both spacecraft remained healthy and continued sending valuable scientific data even after their planned timeline.
The Van Allen Probe A was operating flawlessly until the year 2019, when the space device finally ran out of fuel. However, during its extended lifetime, the spacecraft helped the scientists make several discoveries about how radiation behaves around Earth.
One of the most notable achievements made while the satellite was up and running was the detection of a temporary third radiation belt that can appear during strong solar activity.
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3. The satellite is now heading back to Earth
After the Van Allen Probe A ran out of fuel in the year 2019, the satellite still remained in orbit around Earth, as it was never designed to head back to land safely. Furthermore, with time the natural force pulled the spacecraft closer to the planet. While the scientists had originally predicted the spacecraft would return around 2034, the stronger solar cycle has accelerated the process.
However, the increased solar activity has played a vital role in the early arrival of the unexpected guest. When the Sun becomes more active, it sends out more energy. This extra energy makes Earth’s atmosphere expand a little. Because of this, the satellites that are in low orbit face more air resistance (drag). This drag slows them down and causes their orbits to get lower, making them fall back to Earth sooner than expected.
4. When and where the satellite may crash
According to NASA and the United States Space Force, the satellite was expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere around 5.15 am on March 11, 2026. However, the timing could vary by about 24 hours because predicting the exact moment of re-entry is difficult. And is yet to crash land or to be confirmed
The spacecraft will enter the atmosphere at speeds close to 17,000 miles per hour. Because it follows a fast and shifting orbit, scientists cannot accurately predict where any surviving pieces might land. Experts say there is a strong chance that any debris will fall into oceans, which cover most of Earth’s surface.
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5. Will the satellite cause damage on Earth
Experts say the risk to people on the ground is extremely low. Most of the spacecraft will burn up when it hits the atmosphere, where temperatures can rise above 1,600 Celsius.
Only small pieces such as metal components may survive the fall. Even then, the probability of debris harming someone is extremely low.
