The 1,300-pound satellite will make an uncontrolled reentry following its successful radiation belt research mission.
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NASA's Van Allen Probe A spacecraft is scheduled to crash to Earth on Tuesday, March 10, according to current tracking by the Space Force. The 1,300-pound satellite has been orbiting Earth for nearly 14 years as part of the Van Allen Probes mission, designed to study the planet's radiation belts and space weather phenomena.
The spacecraft launched in 2012 as part of a twin-probe mission to investigate the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding Earth. These donut-shaped regions of energetic particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field pose significant risks to satellites and astronauts. The probe carried instruments to measure electric and magnetic fields, plasma waves, and energetic particle distributions at various altitudes.
The mission was originally planned for two years but was extended multiple times due to its scientific success. Van Allen Probe A has been gradually losing altitude due to atmospheric drag, with mission controllers conducting final data collection operations before the inevitable reentry. The probe's twin, Van Allen Probe B, completed its mission earlier.
The Van Allen Probes mission revolutionized scientists' understanding of radiation belt dynamics, discovering new temporary radiation belts and mapping how solar storms affect these regions. This research has direct applications for protecting future spacecraft and predicting space weather impacts on Earth's technology infrastructure, from GPS systems to power grids.
Most of the satellite is expected to burn up during reentry, with any surviving debris likely falling into the ocean given Earth's surface composition. The mission's total cost was approximately $686 million, representing significant value for the scientific discoveries achieved over its extended operational period.