A SATELLITE is intended to turn into a giant fireball as scientists bring the craft down from Earth’s orbit in stages.
The European Space Agency (ESA) said the Aeolus satellite will be guided on its re-entry to Earth in four stages.
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The satellite has been orbiting the planet at an altitude of 200 miles for the past five years.
But now its fuel is almost spent, a combination of solar activity and Earth’s atmosphere hugging the hunk of space metal close, means it is being dragged towards the planet at a rate of around 0.6miles (1km) a day.
When will it land?
It will land on Earth next Friday, according to current forecasts.
However, it will begin its organised descent on Monday 24 July, when an initial set of manoeuvres will bring the craft from an altitude of 174 miles (280km) to 155 miles (250km).
Aeolus will then come down to 93 miles (150km) next Thursday, and be sunk down to 75 miles (120km) next Friday – if all goes to plan.
From there, it’s expected to take around five hours to re-enter the atmosphere.
Upon re-entry, the satellite will turn into a giant fireball in the sky.
Just 20 per cent of the craft is anticipated to survive the fiery path back home.
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This is the equivalent of 1.3 tonnes of metal, around the size of a small car.
Where will it land?
Scientists in an operations centre in Germany will be guiding it down in stages, in a first-of-its-kind assisted re-entry.
They plan to splash down into the Atlantic Ocean next week, where the remains will sink.
No recovery attempt will be made.
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