For the space enthusiasts, it will be the day to remember as fragments from an old six-ton NASA satellite is moving towards the surface of the Earth. The satellite was launched twenty years ago aboard space shuttle Discovery. UARS was launched in 1991 from space shuttle Discovery to study the atmosphere and the ozone layer, now its heading back and could very well get a cool or warm welcome!

Where it will crash-land!

UARS is heading back to Earth after 20 years

It is not exactly confirmed where it will strike. But since nearly three-quarters of the world is covered in water, it is likely to be a splashdown. The NASA climate satellite is about the size of a bus. It’s expected to break into more than 100 pieces, and most of it will burn up as it plunges through the atmosphere. About 25 large metal chunks are expected to survive and scatter somewhere on the planet.

The satellite could fall anywhere between the latitudes of Northern Canada and Southern South America, a region of Earth that encompasses much of the planet but everything is uncertain at the moment, Why? because the satellite is tumbling in unpredictable way and it is very difficult for NASA to precisely pinpoint where it’s coming down even right before the re-entry. However more information will be available once the satellite enters the Earth’a atmosphere, but it is more likely that the pieces might have a very watery welcome as he world is 70 percent water.

Could it threaten anyone?

If talking about a person, than mostly no, the old spacecraft is expected to hit sometime Friday late night/Saturday. However all pilots/flight crew members have been alerted to report any observed falling space debris to the appropriate (air traffic control) facility and include position, altitude, time and direction of debris observed.

What could we be expecting?

The surviving chunks of the satellite that will re-enter into the Earth’a atmosphere include titanium fuel tanks, beryllium housing and stainless steel batteries and wheel rims. Parts may weigh as little as two pounds (one kilogram) or as much as 350 pounds (158 kilograms) and the debris field is expected to span 500 miles (800 kilometers).

Pakistan is safe?

It is not confirmed whether it threatens any country or not, however there is a distinct possiblitly that the few pieces may very well hit some country. As far Pakistan is concerned, it is also a part of the world and same goes for Pakistan as well. But the latest developments do show that the satellite is moving slowing than expected and it could aim towards United States during Friday late night or Saturday, but only time will tell what really would happen!

So remember to take a umberalla with you!!