Defunct European Satellite Set for Uncontrolled Reentry Mid-February

The ERS-2 satellite, decommissioned in 2011, will reenter Earth's atmosphere in an uncontrolled descent, posing minimal risk to individuals.

A defunct European satellite, ERS-2, launched in 1995, is set to reenter Earth's atmosphere in an uncontrolled descent around mid-February.
ERS-2 completed its mission in 2011 and has been in a slow orbital decay due to solar activity, leading to its imminent reentry.
Despite the uncontrolled nature of its descent, the risk of injury from space debris to an individual is extremely low, under 1 in 100 billion.
ERS-2 collected significant data on Earth's climate, including polar ice, sea-level rise, and atmospheric chemistry, contributing to our understanding of climate change.
Space agencies are working on technologies for controlled reentries to minimize space debris and ensure orbit safety.