ESAs GOSE (Gravity Field and Steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite ran out of fuel yesterday. It is now on a descending orbit from its present 224 km. height and is expected to encounter Earths atmosphere in about 2 weeks time. As it is 5 metres long with a 1.1 metre cross-section pieces are expected to survive re-entry. So ESAs Space Debris Office is watching it closely but expects some remnants at least to hit Earths surface somewhere. There is a 70% chance it will hit in the sea - because that is what covers 70% of Earths surface. A more precise point of impact will become clearer later. Launched in March 2009 its nominal Mission ended last year (2012) but it has continued to send data from its present orbit since. It is regarded as having been a complete success.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 08:06:14 +0000
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