Today: NASA Satellite Expected to Crash to Earth After 14 Years in Orbit; Meet the Van Allen Probe A

Written by Andriely Medeiros de Araújo

Published on 10/03/2026 at 17:33

Updated on 10/03/2026 at 17:34

O satélite Van Allen Probe A, da NASA, deve cair na Terra após quase 14 anos em órbita. A missão estudou cinturões de radiação que cercam o planeta. Foto: JHU/APL, NASA

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The NASA Van Allen Probe A Satellite Is Expected To Fall To Earth After Almost 14 Years In Orbit. The Mission Studied Radiation Belts Surrounding The Planet.

The Van Allen Probe A satellite, from NASA, is expected to fall to Earth this Tuesday (10), after almost 14 years in orbit.

The spacecraft, which weighs about 600 kilograms, will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere after spending years studying the radiation belts of the planet.

According to predictions from the United States Space Force, the event is expected to occur around 8:45 PM (Brasilia time).

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Scientific Mission of the Van Allen Probe A Satellite

The objective of NASA’s mission was to study how these high-energy particles behave in the space near the planet.

These belts are strongly influenced by solar activity. Thus, understanding their functioning helps scientists to predict phenomena that may affect modern technologies.

Additionally, solar storms can interfere with communication systems, satellite navigation, and even electrical grids on Earth.

For this reason, the data collected by the probes has become extremely valuable for research on space weather.

Initially, the mission was supposed to last only two years. However, the performance of the instruments exceeded expectations.

Probe B remained active until July 2019, while the Van Allen Probe A satellite continued operating until October of the same year.

How The Van Allen Probe A Satellite Will Fall To Earth?

Even after being decommissioned, both probes continued orbiting the planet. Over time, however, the orbit of the satellite has been naturally deteriorating, which will now result in its atmospheric re-entry.

During this process, the spacecraft will face extremely high temperatures due to friction with the air.

This intense heat will cause a large part of the structure of the Van Allen Probe A satellite to disintegrate before reaching the surface of Earth.

Debris Risk Considered Extremely Low

Although some fragments may survive re-entry, experts state that the risk to the population is minimal.

Nasa itself estimates that the chance of someone being hit by debris is approximately 1 in 4,200.

This happens because about 70% of the surface of Earth is covered by oceans. Therefore, the greatest probability is that any pieces of the satellite will fall into the sea or in remote and sparsely populated areas.

Scientific Legacy of NASA’s Mission

Even with the end of the probes’ operation, the scientific impact of the mission continues. The data collected by the Van Allen Probe A satellite is still being analyzed by researchers.

This information helps scientists better understand the behavior of the space environment around Earth.

Consequently, this knowledge contributes to protecting satellites, astronauts, and various technologies used daily on the planet.

With information from Olhar Digital

Today: NASA Satellite Expected to Crash to Earth After 14 Years in Orbit; Meet the Van Allen Probe A

The NASA Van Allen Probe A Satellite Is Expected To Fall To Earth After Almost 14 Years In Orbit. The Mission Studied Radiation Belts Surrounding The Planet.

Scientific Mission of the Van Allen Probe A Satellite

How The Van Allen Probe A Satellite Will Fall To Earth?

Debris Risk Considered Extremely Low

Scientific Legacy of NASA’s Mission

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Today: NASA Satellite Expected to Crash to Earth After 14 Years in Orbit; Meet the Van Allen Probe A

The NASA Van Allen Probe A Satellite Is Expected To Fall To Earth After Almost 14 Years In Orbit. The Mission Studied Radiation Belts Surrounding The Planet.

Scientific Mission of the Van Allen Probe A Satellite

How The Van Allen Probe A Satellite Will Fall To Earth?

Debris Risk Considered Extremely Low

Scientific Legacy of NASA’s Mission

A giant printer called the “Ferrari” of concrete has landed in Latin America and can already build a 120-square-meter house in just 48 hours, making the traditional construction site look like something from the last century.

A British company has installed in the middle of the ocean the world’s first floating platform that generates electricity 24 hours a day from the temperature difference between the surface and the depths of the Atlantic, without relying on wind or sun.

Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has ceased to be a climatic phenomenon and has become a biological system that feeds on itself, with 8,000 kilometers in length, 37 million tons of algae, and scientists confirm that it is now permanent.

China is building an artificial island in the middle of the sea, covering 20 km², to construct the largest offshore airport in the world, the Dalian Jinzhouwan. This $4.3 billion project is anchored on more than 3,000 pillars embedded in the rock beneath the ocean and is scheduled to open in 2035.

A robot named Walter does the work of five bricklayers per hour and can save the construction industry, where the average age of professionals is 46 years and almost no one wants to learn the trade anymore, in the United Kingdom.

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