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Space
Space
Science
Robert Lea

Satellite will die by fire as 1st-of-its-kind operation sends it plummeting down to Earth

Earth Holger Krag ESA European Space Agency Europe
An illustration of the Aeolus satellite as it approaches Earth with gathering speed

Scientists are preparing for a "first-of-its-kind" operation to steer a dead satellite back to Earth in a safe assisted re-entry. 

The satellite that will be the subject of this guided return to Earth is the European Space Agency (ESA) wind-monitoring Aeolus spacecraft. At a press conference on Wednesday (July 19), ESA scientists explained how they will attempt to guide the return of Aeolus to Earth, which should happen on Friday, July 28. 

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