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'Threat to humanity' warning issued as NASA satellite will crash into Earth today
If 2026 isn’t already looking bleak, NASA may be adding another dramatic moment to the list as one of its old satellites heads back toward Earth. The spacecraft known as Van Allen Probe A is expected to re-enter the planet’s atmosphere tonight after spending more than a decade in space.
The probe, launched alongside its twin Van Allen Probe B, was originally sent up in 2012 to study a dangerous region surrounding Earth called the Van Allen belts. These belts form rings around the planet’s magnetic shield and help protect Earth from solar storms, solar wind, and radiation.
While the mission was initially expected to last only two years, the spacecraft stayed active for nearly seven. Now, almost 14 years after its launch, Probe A is returning to Earth and could create a small but real risk as debris burns through the atmosphere.
When the probe is expected to re-enter
According to estimates, the 1,300 pound spacecraft is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at 7:45PM EDT, which is 12:30AM in the UK.
Most of the craft is expected to burn up during re-entry, but some solid pieces could survive and fall toward the ground. Because of that possibility, NASA confirmed that both the agency and Space Force will monitor the probe as it comes back down.
The odds of debris harming anyone are extremely low. NASA has placed the risk at about a 1 in 4,200 chance that any fragments could pose a danger to people on the ground.
Why the spacecraft is returning earlier than expected
Originally, scientists believed the probe would remain in orbit until around 2034. However, the Sun has been particularly active during the current solar cycle.
That increased activity has intensified cosmic weather, which gradually pulled the spacecraft closer to Earth and sped up its return by nearly a decade.
Probe B, the twin spacecraft launched with it, is still expected to remain in orbit much longer and is not predicted to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.
What the Van Allen probes discovered in space
The two probes were sent into the Van Allen belts to study how particles enter and leave the region. Scientists also wanted to learn more about how radiation behaves in the area surrounding Earth.
Although the mission was designed to last until 2014, both spacecraft continued operating for nearly seven years. The shorter planned mission time had originally been chosen to reduce exposure to intense radiation.
During their time in orbit, the probes achieved several milestones. They were the first spacecraft built to spend long periods inside the Van Allen belts and set records for operating in that harsh environment.
Their instruments also captured the first data showing the existence of a third radiation belt that can form during strong solar activity. According to NASA, the information gathered by the probes has contributed to hundreds of scientific publications.
Now, attention turns to the final stage of Probe A’s journey as it falls back toward Earth, with experts keeping watch to ensure its return causes no problems.