1,300-Pound NASA Spacecraft Set for Fiery Earth Re-Entry

A NASA spacecraft re-entry is expected as the 1,300-pound Van Allen Probe returns to Earth after 14 years. Most will burn up, with minimal debris risk.

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Mar 11, 2026 - 07:19

1,300-Pound NASA Spacecraft Set for Fiery Earth Re-Entry

NASA says the Van Allen Probe spacecraft, weighing more than 1,300 pounds (600 kg), is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere nearly 14 years after its launch.

According to NASA, the US Space Force estimates the spacecraft will re-enter at approximately 19:45 EST (00:45 GMT) on Tuesday, although there is a 24-hour "uncertainty" margin in the timing.

Van Allen Probe A, launched in 2012, is expected to mostly burn up as it passes through the atmosphere, although some parts may survive.

The space agency said the chance of any part of the probe being damaged is one in 4,200, which it described as a "low" risk.

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The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to collect never-before-seen data on Earth's two permanent radiation belts.

It wasn't immediately clear where the satellite would re-enter Earth's atmosphere.

NASA and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any estimates.

The mission, initially designed to last two years, lasted nearly seven. It ended when the spacecraft ran out of fuel and was unable to orient itself toward the Sun.

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According to NASA, the probe traveled through rings of charged particles trapped in Earth's magnetic field from 2012 to 2019 to study how particles are gained and lost.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, protect Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms, and the flowing solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

NASA said the mission made important discoveries, including the first data showing the existence of a temporary third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere before 2030.

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