Tiangong-1 space station set to fall to Earth
- 6 years ago
SPACE — An out-of-control space station is set to fall to Earth within a few weeks, but there's really no cause for panic, and here's why.
The Guardian reports that China's Tiangong-1 space station has been orbiting uncontrolled since 2016, and has sped up its descent towards Earth in recent months.
According to the European Space Agency, reentry is estimated to occur between March 29 and April 9, with the impact point anywhere between 43 degrees north and 43 degrees south latitudes.
The 9.4 ton space station is expected to burn up as it enters the atmosphere, and may be visible from Earth as a bright streak in the sky.
Experts say a small amount of debris may survive reentry and fall to Earth, but the probability of it hitting anyone and causing harm is extremely low.
To date, only one person has ever been struck by falling space debris, and she wasn't even injured.
So this time, the odds ARE ever in your favor.
The Guardian reports that China's Tiangong-1 space station has been orbiting uncontrolled since 2016, and has sped up its descent towards Earth in recent months.
According to the European Space Agency, reentry is estimated to occur between March 29 and April 9, with the impact point anywhere between 43 degrees north and 43 degrees south latitudes.
The 9.4 ton space station is expected to burn up as it enters the atmosphere, and may be visible from Earth as a bright streak in the sky.
Experts say a small amount of debris may survive reentry and fall to Earth, but the probability of it hitting anyone and causing harm is extremely low.
To date, only one person has ever been struck by falling space debris, and she wasn't even injured.
So this time, the odds ARE ever in your favor.