Satellite expected to come falling back to Earth

The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite was revolving about the globe for the last twenty years. In 2005, NASA efficiently decommissioned the satellite. Stuff on the satellite was still working, but only barely. The atmosphere of Earth will melt away most of UARS when it passes down to the earth. Several large pieces, however, are expected to hit land. Source of article: UARS satellite pieces have 1 in 3,200 chance of hitting Earth


Life of UARS
In 1991, the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite was put into orbit. the Earth’s atmosphere, including the ozone layer, was studied with the satellite. At first, UARS was meant to last about three years. UARS had 60 percent of instruments still working after 14 years, but NASA decided shutting it down was the best option. There was gold foil-like material covering most of UARS which is the size of a bus.


NASA talks re-entry
The UARS is expected to return to the Earth’s atmosphere between September 22 and 24 as a “heavily decaying orbit,” according to National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The atmosphere is expected to burn up much of the satellite. Still, there could be up to 100 separate pieces that don’t get burned up. Some of the parts will be as heavy as 300 pounds. National Aeronautics and Space Administration estimates that there's a 1 in 3,200 chance of the portions of UARS smacking land. Antarctica is the only continent that doesn’t have to worry. The chances that each piece will hit an individual are very slim. It is 1 in 20 trillion.


Two hours to get away
The UARS satellite status will be updated every two hours by NASA. Even checking every hour, National Aeronautics and Space Administration will not be able to give much notice. There will only be two hours’ notice before UARS re-entry is noted. UARS’s fall will be blamed on solar activity. The increased solar activity is also blamed for troubles with communications satellites. The UARS portions could fall easily, but it is just one of 22,000 portions of “space junk” going around the globe every single day.



Information from
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-fall-to-earth-this-week
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-why-nasa-needs-to-clean-up-space.html