China's Tiangong-1 is plummeting back to Earth
- 6 years ago
EARTH — China's Tiangong-1 spacecraft is predicted to fall to Earth on Saturday March 31 or Sunday, April 1.
According to Aerospace Corp, re-entry will begin when spacecraft falls to an altitude of 120 kilometers above Earth. Some of this maybe visible from Earth. After reaching an altitude of 80 kilometers, the spacecraft will likely break apart.
The UK Space Agency's chief engineer told the BBC that most of Tiangong-1 will burn up on re-entry, with surviving debris likely falling into the ocean.
Experts say the risk of it impacting a city or populated area are very low. The chances of someone being hit by Tiangong-1 are 1 in a trillion, reported Space.com, citing Aerospace Corp.
The spacecraft is expected to fall somewhere between 43 degrees north and 43 degrees south latitudes, reports the BBC.
According to Aerospace Corp, re-entry will begin when spacecraft falls to an altitude of 120 kilometers above Earth. Some of this maybe visible from Earth. After reaching an altitude of 80 kilometers, the spacecraft will likely break apart.
The UK Space Agency's chief engineer told the BBC that most of Tiangong-1 will burn up on re-entry, with surviving debris likely falling into the ocean.
Experts say the risk of it impacting a city or populated area are very low. The chances of someone being hit by Tiangong-1 are 1 in a trillion, reported Space.com, citing Aerospace Corp.
The spacecraft is expected to fall somewhere between 43 degrees north and 43 degrees south latitudes, reports the BBC.