Decades-old NASA satellite due to re-enter atmosphere, low threat

After almost four decades in space, a retired NASA satellite is about to fall to earth.

The chances of falling satellite debris posing a risk to “anyone on Earth is very low”, NASA said in a statement on Saturday.

Most of the 2,450kg (5,400lb) satellite will burn up on re-entry but some pieces are expected to survive, according to NASA.

The United States space agency put the odds of injury from falling debris at about one-in-9,400. The science satellite is expected to come down on Sunday night at approximately 18:40 EST (23:40 GMT), give or take 17 hours, according to the US defence department.

The California-based Aerospace Corporation, however, has predicted Monday morning, US time, for the satellite’s re-entry, give or take 13 hours, along a track that passes over Africa, Asia the Middle East and the westernmost areas of North and South America.