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NASA’s Depleted Battery Pallet Makes Controlled Reentry
A bundle of depleted batteries from the International Space Station orbited Earth for nearly three years before being intentionally released for reentry into the atmosphere. The pallet, weighing over 2.6 metric tons, was the heaviest object jettisoned from the station and was monitored by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) as it descended.
NASA’s Preparation for Reentry
NASA conducted a rigorous assessment to determine that the pallet would safely reenter Earth’s atmosphere without causing harm. The space agency carefully planned the path of the debris, ensuring that most of it would burn up during reentry. Despite the massive size of the pallet, NASA assured that there was no expectation for any surviving fragments to reach the ground.
ESA’s Monitoring
The ESA also closely followed the trajectory of the battery pallet and estimated that some parts might reach the Earth’s surface. While the risk of injury to individuals was deemed very low, Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist, approximated that around 500 kilograms of debris could impact the ground.
Space Sustainability Efforts
ESA, known for its commitment to space sustainability, previously tracked a similar uncontrolled reentry of a dead satellite. This event, involving a satellite similar in mass to the battery pallet, highlighted the importance of monitoring space debris to ensure the safety of space operations.
Low Risk of Space Debris Hazards
Despite concerns about space debris, experts from the Aerospace Corporation emphasized that the likelihood of suffering an injury or fatality from falling space objects remains extremely low. NASA and ESA reiterated that no fatalities have ever resulted from spacecraft reentries and that space debris poses minimal risk compared to other hazards.
Self-Cleaning Nature of Low-Earth Orbit
Over time, objects in low-Earth orbit are naturally cleansed due to aerodynamic drag exerted by the surrounding atmosphere. This drag gradually decelerates debris, eventually causing them to reenter Earth’s atmosphere, as demonstrated by the battery pallet’s descent on March 11, 2021.
Overall, the controlled reentry of the depleted battery pallet represents a unique event in space exploration, underscoring the meticulous planning and coordination required to manage space debris effectively.
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