Debris May Be Issue as Fuel-depleted GOCE Moves Toward Re-entry in Early November

摘要

Europe's GOCE gravity measurement satellite ran out of fuel Oct. 21 and will be pulled into the atmosphere in about two weeks, from where it will be tracked by ground radars to monitor any pieces that might survive and hit Earth. The 20-nation European Space Agency (ESA) said its Darmstadt, Germany-based Space Debris Office, and radars from other national members of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee, will be trained on GOCE to pinpoint its descent and, if needed, warn shipping lanes or affected populations.