Nasa Satellite Could Hit on Friday Evening
September 23, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
Travelling at five miles per second, the dormant UARS will hit Earth this Friday. Authorities continue to monitor the situation.
Nasa have been tracking a falling dormant spacecraft which is expected to enter the Earth’s atmosphere “sometime during the afternoon or early evening of 23 September, eastern daylight time”.
The 35ft Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is currently travelling at five miles per second and is expected to shatter and scatter across a 500-mile area.
Authorities will not know official details until 20 minutes before impact.
According to the UK Space Agency, 26 parts will remain intact when the UARS hits Earth – The largest of which could weight up to 158kg.
In addition, the speed of which the debris will hit the ground will range from 55mph (90km/h) and 240 mph (385km/h).
“The government continues to monitor the situation, share information nationally and at the local level,” said a UK Space Agency statement. “The public will be aware through any press interest, but the risk to the UK is considered to be low and we will continue to monitor if that changes at any time.”
It is expected that the majority of UARS debris will fall into the sea, as Nasa puts the odds on anyone being struck by a falling part at one-in-3,200.
Officials have warned people not to touch pieces of debris, as they could be sharp and hazardous.
The largest piece of space debris to hit the Earth was America’s 75-ton Skylab in 1979, where the risk of human injury stood at one-in-152.
Reports also confirm that in the last 50 years, an average of one piece of debris a day has hit the Earth.
By Catherine Rees
[Image courtesy of NASA Goddard Photo and Video]
