A discarded battery pack from the International Space Station has largely burned over Central America; smaller pieces of debris reportedly fell into the sea in a corridor between Guatemala and Florida. The battery block entered the Earth’s atmosphere on Friday evening at 8:29 PM. Parts of Germany and Austria were also in the flight path.
According to statements from the affected state governments on Friday, debris could also be floating in the airspace above Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Carinthia. Luminous phenomena and a sonic boom from the rubble could possibly have been expected.
No damage reported
An impact of fragments on the Earth’s surface is “extremely unlikely”. However, it was difficult to predict exactly where the space debris would burn up in its orbit around Earth. The re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere ultimately occurred where the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico meet.
Battery pack already disconnected in 2021
The manner in which the ISS battery pack was disposed of was completely intentional. The platform with battery packs – about the size of a car and weighing about 2.6 tons – was detached from the ISS in March 2021 with the aim of burning up in the atmosphere years later.
Space debris entering the atmosphere and remains reaching the Earth’s surface occur all the time. The European Space Agency (ESA) writes: “A large space object re-enters uncontrollably approximately every week, and most associated fragments burn up before reaching the ground.”
One piece falls to Earth every day
According to the American space agency NASA, an average of one known piece has fallen to Earth per day over the past fifty years. To date, no serious injuries or significant property damage have been reported as a result.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
