New predictions for the defunct Chinese space station Tiangong-1 propose it may come down back to Earth in mid to late March – but a Chinese engineer has avoid fear that the re - entrance is uncontrolled .
Tiangong-1 is currently orbiting about 270 kilometers ( 170 naut mi ) above the surface of Earth . Launched in 2011 , the station has been uncrewed since 2013 and , it ’s believe , out of command . Its orbit is slow take down due to atmospheric puff , with most prediction suggesting it will have re - enteredby April .
The exact engagement and location of re - accounting entry are still not clean , but as the date come near , we can improve our estimation . Last weekThe Aerospace Corporationpushed the particular date back from late February / other March to mid to previous March .
With a the great unwashed of 8,500 kilograms ( 18,700 pounds ) , it ’s opine that some of the satellite may make it to thesurface of Earth(note , this is by no way the with child gentleman - made object toreturn to Earth ) . Its orbital flow takes it as far northward as New York , and as far south as New Zealand .
“ There is a prospect that a modest amount of Tiangong-1 debris may survive reentry and impact the ground , ” Aerospacesaid , noting however that “ the probability that a specific person ( i.e. , you ) will be fall by Tiangong-1 debris is about 1 million times smaller than the betting odds of winning the Powerball jackpot . ”
Nonetheless , the apparently uncontrolled re - entry has been cause for some concern . But last week an engineer at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation ( CASTC ) said Tiangong-1 was not out of control at all , and it was being come back for a ascertain splashdown in the Pacific Ocean .
“ We have been continuously monitoring Tiangong-1 and anticipate to let it to fall within the first one-half of this year , ” the engineer , Zhu Congpeng , toldthe Chinese province - backed Science and Technology Daily newspaper .
“ It will incinerate up on get in the atmosphere and the remaining wreckage will fall into a designated sphere of the sea , without endanger the aerofoil . ”
The paper live on on to claim that the re - entry had been plan for September 2017 , but it was purposefully delayed to ensure the wreckage fell into the South Pacific Ocean .
The Aerospace Corporation , for its part , has antecedently said it is unlikely this case is being controlled . “ Although not declared officially , it is suspect that control of Tiangong-1 was lost and will not be regained before re - introduction . ”
And the European Space Agency ( ESA ) , too , thinks this is probable an uncontrolled re - debut . “ In so far as can be fully confirmed , reason teams lost ascendence with the craft , and it can no longer be command to arouse its engines , ” theysaid . “ It is , therefore , expected to make an ‘ uncontrolled re - entry ’ . ”
