After nearly 30 years of scientific contributions from space, the European Remote Sensing Satellite-2 (ERS-2) is on a course for an Earth-bound descent. Launched in 1995, the satellite has played a pioneering role in Earth observation, providing valuable data for scientific research, environmental monitoring, and climate studies.
Despite its remarkable service, the European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that ERS-2 will now embark on its final journey, reentering the Earth’s atmosphere. The satellite’s descent is expected to be uneventful, with most of it burning up upon reentry.
ERS-2 has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of Earth’s changing climate, mapping natural disasters, and monitoring environmental changes. Its array of instruments has facilitated crucial data collection, aiding researchers and scientists in various fields.
While the decision to deorbit the satellite marks the end of its operational life, the scientific legacy it leaves behind is substantial. ERS-2 has significantly contributed to the body of knowledge surrounding Earth’s complex systems and has paved the way for subsequent generations of Earth observation satellites.
The controlled deorbiting of satellites is a standard practice in space agencies worldwide to minimize space debris and the risk of collisions with other operational satellites. The European Space Agency assures that the majority of ERS-2 will disintegrate upon reentry, posing little risk to terrestrial environments.
As ERS-2 bids farewell to its celestial vantage point, scientists and researchers express gratitude for its years of dedicated service and the invaluable data it provided for the better understanding of our planet.
