ESA's ERS-2 satellite, launched in 1995, was deactivated 10 years ago. Having exhausted its last fuel reserve, the satellite completed its entry into the atmosphere.
Weighing two tons, ERS-2 entered the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. No material damage was reported for the remaining parts of the satellite, which was largely burned to pieces.
WHAT IS THE ERS-2 SATELLITE AND WHAT IS IT FOR?
ESA's second European Remote Sensing satellite ERS-2 was launched 30 years ago, in 1995. It has provided invaluable long-term data on Earth's land surfaces, ocean temperatures, ozone layer and polar ice coverage, revolutionizing our understanding of the Earth system. It was also commissioned to help monitor and respond to natural disasters.
