An uncontrolled satellite, ERS-2, has re-entered Earth’s atmosphere almost 30 years after its launch.

ERS-2 underwent a ‘natural’ re-entry, meaning that it was not being controlled by humans – this made it impossible to pinpoint exactly when and where it would occur. However, the European Space Agency (ESA) was able to provide more precise estimates as it approached Earth, within a 4.5 hour window of uncertainty.

ESA released images of the satellite falling towards the atmosphere earlier this week ahead of its re-entry. The photos were taken between 14 January and 3 February when ERS-2 was still at an altitude of above 300km. It has since been falling more than 10km every day, and accelerating rapidly. At around 80km, it was due to reach the ‘critical altitude’ at which atmospheric drag is so strong it would begin to break into pieces.

Ahead of re-entry, scientists said most of those pieces would burn up. However, some could make it to Earth’s surface and most likely fall into the ocean...