A European satellite is expected to make a fiery return back to Earth later this month in an uncontrolled re-entry closely monitored by its handlers.
The spacecraft is the European Space Agency's (ESA) European Remote Sensing 2 (ERS-2), launched into Earth's orbit in 1995.
ERS-2 wrapped up its Earth-observing duties in September 2011, with the ESA preparing for the station's eventual demise by performing 66 engine burns before its primary mission had ended.
These manoeuvres used up the satellite's remaining fuel and lowered its average altitude to avoid collisions with other satellites or space junk, according to reporting by Space.com.
It also ensured that it would re-enter the atmosphere within the next 15 years.
The satellite should break apart into fragments around 80km above Earth's surface, with the vast majority to burn up in the atmosphere, said ESA.
"Some fragments could reach Earth’s surface, where they will most likely fall into the ocean.
"None of these fragments will contain any toxic or radioactive substances."
It is currently predicted that the re entry of ERS-2 will take place at 2.51pm NZDT on February 20. The location of the re-entry is currently unknown.
At the time of its launch, ERS-2 "was the most sophisticated Earth-observation spacecraft ever developed and launched by Europe."
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