NASA has confirmed that the retired Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite which weighs 6 tons, will be crashing back to Earth sometime in the next few weeks. This satellite was brought into orbit by the space shuttle Discovery in March of 1991, but has since deteriorated. One problem though.
There's a 6000 mile field of uncertainty of where this thing will crash. NASA is predicting that it'll hit somewhere between Canada and South America. The exact location of impact, as well as time, will not be known until two hours prior. NASA is anticipating that most of the UARS satellite will burn up in the atmosphere, but at least 26 pieces of the satellite will not. These pieces of debris weigh in total 1,730 pounds, with the biggest piece of debris weighs 300 pounds. NASA is also predicting that the impact line of the debris will be approximately 500 miles long.
NASA is advising people that if a piece of debris lands nearby, to not touch it and to contact your local law enforcement agency.
Read all about it
here. NASA is currently predicting re-entry on the 24th, give or take a day.
