After orbiting the earth for nearly 40 years NASA's retired satellite Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) returned to Earth.
ERBS re-entered the atmosphere off the coast of Alaska last Sunday (8th Jan 2023) night. There are no reports of injuries or damage from falling debris.
NASA calculated that the risk of harm to any human being is very low- approximately 1 in 9400
The first American woman in space, Sally Ride placed the satellite in Earth's orbit in 1984.
Space Shuttle Challenge took the satellite to space. During this mission, Kathryn Sullivan created history by performing a spacewalk.
The main mission of this satellite was to study, collect data of the ozone layer. The satellite also studied how Earth absorbed and radiated solar energy.
Scientists expected that the satellite would last for only two years. It exceeded expectations and kept sending important data and finally retired in 2005.
According to NASA, 'The Department of Defense confirmed that the 5,400-pound satellite reentered the atmosphere over the Bering Sea.'
'NASA expected most of the satellite to burn up as it travelled through the atmosphere, but for some components to survive the reentry.'
NASA calculated that the risk of harm to any human being is very low- approximately 1 in 9400