A retired NASA space vehicle is about to meet its perfervid demise , burn up in Earth ’s atmosphere after its carry detached - fall from eye socket later this week .
The Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager ( RHESSI ) space vehicle is expected to reenter Earth ’s atmosphere on April 19 at around 9:30 p.m. ET , give or take 16 hours , NASAannouncedbased on the most recent estimate by the Department of Defense .
The 660 pound ( 300 kg ) satellite will in all likelihood burn up during its reentry , although some part could come through the atmospheric plunge and make their means to the control surface . NASA reassured the multitude of Earth , however , that the risk of harm is approximately 1 in 2,467 . The blank agency will proceed to monitor RHESSI ’s reentry to refine its predictions .
An artist’s depiction of the RHESSI spacecraft.Gif: NASA
The mission launch on February 5 , 2002 with the solitary function of watch over the Sun , daytime in and day out . RHESSI ’s job was to look out for solar flare — dramatic volcanic eruption of irradiation that the Sun fling out into space ( and sometimes towards Earth ) . “ need any scientist who worked on RHESSI what their favorite flair is , and they ’ll well rattle off a appointment , as if it ’s a natal day or holiday they ’ll always remember , ” NASAwrotein a 2018 statement .
After year of ply scientist with worthful data about our host star , the aging ballistic capsule formally retired on August 16 , 2018 . RHESSI spent its retreat years in a static downcast Earth orbit , but atmospheric drag has been tugging on the ballistic capsule , gradually lowering its scope until it at long last reenters through the atm this week .
Throughout its mission , RHESSI observed more than 75,000 solar flares , each memorable in its own way , according to NASA . “ One hombre even has a most - hated flare , ” solar physicist Säm Krucker is cite as saying in the NASA instruction . “ He had many arguments with co-worker over it , seek to explain it , which was not always enjoyable . ”
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