The satellite measures the attraction of the Earth to the end of fuel

The European Aeronautics Agency (ESA) announces the satellite Current and Gravity Explorer (GOCE) operation, which has been running out of fuel since 2009 and will fall back to Earth's atmosphere within the next 3 weeks. .

>>>Satellite GOCE is about to fall to earth

Rune Floberghahen, who oversees the mission of the GOCE, said 41kg of the satellite's fuel reserves have been depleted at 3:20 pm on October 21 at GMT (10h20 'Vietnam time). The main gravity measuring device has stopped working, but other measuring devices will continue to collect data for another 2 weeks.

The Marine and Gravity Explorer satellite (GOCE) has completed its mission.(Photo: spaceinimages.esa.int)

Now that the fuel is out of operation in orbit, GOCE will lose its altitude and is no longer stable. Most of the 5.3-meter-long satellites and one-ton weighs will burst and burn off when they fall to an altitude of 80km. The remaining fragments, totaling about 250kg in total, will fall to Earth to form a trail of several hundred kilometers within the next 2 to 3 weeks.

According to ESA experts, when the fragments of GOCE satellites fall to Earth it is unlikely that it is dangerous to humans. However, experts have not determined the time and place of debris falling. A global cosmic dust observation committee is tracking satellites to predict when debris falls to Earth and will provide the necessary information to all countries of the world.

GOCE was launched into Earth orbit from March 2009 at a height of 260km above the sea surface, then lowered to 224km. The cost for this project is 350 million euros (465 million US dollars) and the satellite operation time has doubled the initial estimated period of 20 months. According to scientists, GOCE has collected the most accurate data on the gravitational pull of the Earth and ocean currents.