The European Space Agency carefully de-orbited its Aeolus satellite in July. Newly released images reveal its fiery, headlong descent.
Aeolus had been in orbit for nearly five years and had faithfully completed its mission of profiling the Earth's winds.
By the time mission control began executing the reentry plan on July 24, Aeolus had already been gradually falling from its operational orbit for several days. "Spacecraft operators are used to being in a dialogue with their missions, but debris can’t talk," said Benjam Bastida Virgili at ESA Space Debris Office, in the statement.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fiery Finale: Final Images of the Doomed Aeolus SpacecraftAeolus was in orbit around Earth for four years, eleven months, and six days. For three hours at the very end, a very brief period, it was space debris. This new animation is made from the last eight images ever taken of ESA's wind-profiling mission, showing it beginning to tumble as it was buffeted
Read more »
| ‘A 25-Minute Flight on 20 Minutes of Fuel’The amazing Capt. Larry Taylor receives the Medal of Honor.
Read more »
Amazing Ahsoka Poster Celebrates A Classic Star Wars ReturnStar Wars reveals a character's return in Ahsoka.
Read more »
Evil Spider-Man Kills His Own Kind (Amazing Spider-Man #33 Spoilers)Spider-Man is brooding. Not the usual brooding about Aunt May's health, but he has the weight of all of the Green Goblin's sins upon his shoulder.
Read more »
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Andrew Garfield returns to the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, dealing with balancing his life as a high school student and his responsibilities as a hero. After reconnecting with his old friend, Harry Osborn, Peter learns details regarding his late father's mysterious past and begins to connect the dots that his father's disappearance, the emergence of new supervillains, and other dark dealings in his city are all connected to Oscorp.
Read more »
Texas fisherman's alligator gar earns him 'outstanding angler award' from state: 'Amazing catch'Texas Parks and Wildlife has issued an 'Outstanding Angler Award' to a fisherman who caught an impressive alligator gar from the Trinity River before releasing the fish.
Read more »