Estimated Rosat satellite plunges down to the weekend

Germany's ROSAT satellite is expected to plunge to Earth this weekend (October 22-23, 2011). However, the exact location and exact time cannot be determined.

>>>Old satellites race each other to fall to Earth

Germany's ROSAT astronomical observation satellite is expected to plunge to Earth this Saturday or Sunday (October 22 or October 23). However, the German Space Agency (DLR) has also expanded the time range to fall between October 21 and October 25. Previously, NASA's researched planetarium (UARS) fell to the Pacific in late September.

Photo simulating Rosat satellites in the universe

According to LiveScience , the 2.4-ton ROSAT satellite will break into small pieces as it flies through the Earth's atmosphere, but some large pieces will not be burned. According to DLR, about 1.7 tons of Rosat fragments, including 30 large pieces of glass and porcelain, will fly through the atmosphere and fall to the ground.

'Large fragments, except for glass and porcelain pieces, will not fall to the ground, ' said Jan Woerner, a leader of DLR. 'Normally, all satellite fragments are burned when flying through the atmosphere, but glass and porcelain may still exist.'

DLR estimates the rate at which a piece of Rosat's debris hits someone on the fall of 1 / 2,000 - higher than the UARS satellite's 1 / 3.200 ratio dropped last month as predicted by NASA. ROSAT satellites are expected to fall anywhere from Canada to South America.

Rosat was launched into Earth orbit in June 1990. This satellite was deactivated in 1998. Since there is no fuel left in the compartment, the ROSAT falls in an uncontrolled state.

'The advantage for us is that we have learned the experience from the previous UARS satellite service , ' said Jan Woerner. 'Since then, we can choose the best solutions when the Rosat satellite falls to the ground ".