Spinal Fire Scientia Est Potentia

For the last twenty years, the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite was orbiting Earth. Six years ago, the satellite arrived at what NASA referred to as "end of a productive scientific life". UARS is expected to return to Earth soon. By Saturday, the satellite will re-enter the atmosphere. Article resource: UARS satellite pieces have 1 in 3,200 chance of hitting Earth

A lengthy lived life

Orbit has had the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite around for some time started in 1991. the Earth’s atmosphere, including the ozone layer, was studied with the satellite. The UARS was supposed to last around three years originally. Shutting down UARS was the best choice after 14 years. Still, sixty percent of instruments were still working on the satellite. The size of UARS can be compared to a bus. It has mostly gold foil-like material on it too.

Concern with re-entry

The UARS is expected to come back to the Earth’s atmosphere between Sept 22 and 24 as a “heavily decaying orbit,” as reported by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. There will be up to 100 pieces of the satellite that won't melt away, although the atmosphere is expected to burn up most of it. The parts could possibly be very heavy. They may weigh as much as 300 pounds. National Aeronautics and Space Administration believes that UARS most likely will not hit ground. There is a 1 in 3,200 chance any piece will hit the ground. The only continent that isn't within the fall zone is Antarctica. There is a 1 in 20 trillion chance that each piece will hit a person.

NASA providing updates

The UARS satellite status will be updated every two hours by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Even with that, the best estimate is that National Aeronautics and Space Administration will be able to provide two hours' warning on the UARS re-entry. UARS’s fall will be blamed on solar activity. The communication satellite troubles are also blamed on the activity. There's a ton of “space junk” revolving about the globe, although UARS is falling easily. It is just one of 22,000 pieces in orbit currently.

Citations

MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44580262/ns/technology_and_science-space/#.T...

NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/19/140598814/space-junk-will...

NASA.gov: (PDF) http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/585584main_UARS_Status.pdf

Slatest: http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/09/19/uars_climate_satellite_expecte...

LA Times: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/space-junk-expert-on-w...