There are nearly 5,500 artificial satellites hovering in space. But have you ever thought, what if they return to Earth? Well, the fall has begun. A retired NASA satellite RHESSI is falling back to Earth tomorrow, almost 21 years after its launch.
The satellite, which weighed around 300 kg, was used to study the sun, and the exact location of the satellite’s crash site is still unknown. In this article, we will discuss whether this falling satellite is dangerous for us or not.
What Is The NASA Satellite RHESSI?
The Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) satellite was launched by NASA in 2002.
It was designed to study the Sun and investigate the mechanisms behind the generation of X-rays and gamma rays during solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
After more than 16 years of successful operation, RHESSI was decommissioned on August 16, 2018. The detectors were not turned back on after the sixth anneal due to communication problems.
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When & Where Will The RHESSI Satellite Fall?
According to the US military, the RHESSI satellite is expected to return to Earth at about 7:00 am Thursday (9:30 pm EDT on Wednesday), with an uncertainty of +/- 16 hours.
The exact location of the satellite’s crash site is still unknown. NASA and the Defense Department are monitoring the satellite’s re-entry.
Is Human Life At Risk?
Most of the satellite’s parts are expected to burn as it re-enters the atmosphere. Most of the spacecraft is projected to burn up when it passes through the atmosphere, although certain components are expected to survive re-entry.
NASA has said that the risk of harm coming to anyone on Earth is low – approximately 1 in 2,467.
The US military and NASA have taken necessary measures to avoid any damage that could be caused by the falling satellite. However, if any debris falls to Earth, it is advised not to touch it as it may be hazardous.
RHESSI’s Mission And Achievements
During its mission, RHESSI captured almost 100,000 X-ray events, allowing scientists to analyze the energetic particles in solar flares.
RHESSI data provided crucial information regarding solar flares and their accompanying coronal mass ejections.
RHESSI has documented the enormous variety in solar flare size throughout the years, from microscopic nanoflares to colossal superflares tens of thousands of times more extensive and more explosive, according to the US space agency.
RHESSI also achieved non-flare-related findings, including improving measurements of the Sun’s structure and demonstrating that bursts of gamma rays generated from high in Earth’s atmosphere above lightning storms are more common than previously assumed.
Conclusion: The Fall NASA’s Satellite RHESSI
The RHESSI satellite falling back to Earth is not a significant threat to human life. NASA and the Defense Department are taking measures to ensure that the satellite’s re-entry is monitored closely.
It is expected that most parts of the spacecraft will burn up as it passes through the atmosphere of the Earth, and the risk of harm to anyone on Earth is almost nothing.
FAQs
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What was the RHESSI satellite used for?
The RHESSI satellite was used to study the sun and investigate the mechanisms behind the generation of X-rays and gamma rays during solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
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Is the RHESSI satellite falling back to Earth?
Yes, the RHESSI satellite is falling back to Earth tomorrow i.e. 20th April 2023. However, NASA has taken all the required measures.
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When will the RHESSI satellite fall back to Earth?
The RHESSI satellite is expected to fall back to Earth on 20th April 2023 Thursday at 7:00 am IST with an uncertainty of +/- 16 hours.
