Summary
NASA's Van Allen Probe A is expected to crash back to Earth today, which is March 10, 2026, after spending almost 14 years in space. Although the spacecraft will mostly burn up upon re-entering the atmosphere, there's a small chance that some parts might survive. NASA and the U.S. Space Force are monitoring this event closely.
Key Facts
- Van Allen Probe A has been in space since 2012.
- The spacecraft is forecasted to re-enter Earth's atmosphere today at around 7:45 PM Eastern Time.
- It weighs 1,323 pounds and is expected to mostly burn up during re-entry.
- The risk of harm to people on Earth is low, about 1 in 4,200.
- The probes were initially launched to study the Van Allen Belts, regions of radiation around Earth.
- The mission provided important data about space weather, which affects technology on Earth.
- The initial estimate for re-entry was 2034, but increased space weather activity sped this up.
- Probe A's twin, Probe B, will likely return to Earth in 2030.
