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In the summer of 2018, the Aeolus meteorological satellite was launched by ESA to provide Earth with wind current data. The satellite successfully completed its mission at an altitude of 320 kilometres for nearly five years, significantly enhancing weather forecasting capabilities.
However, in late July 2023, Aeolus was deliberately crashed. For the first time, the satellite was guided during its descent until it re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere. It used its remaining fuel to gradually lower its orbit and then deactivated its instruments.
This technology could serve as a model for other space agencies, ultimately reducing the potential danger of uncontrolled re-entry. According to ESA, the risk of debris falling to Earth has been reduced by a factor of 150.
Due to the growing issue of space debris and the potential harm it poses to satellites and space stations, it is probable that controlled satellite destruction will become more frequent in the future. Ilon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink satellite internet service, for example, depends on thousands of satellites in Earth’s orbit.
The agency released footage of the final moments before the Aeolus satellite burned up approximately two months after the crash. The satellite’s re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere was tracked by radar for four minutes after it received the final command to lower its orbit and switch off its instruments.
Approximately 80% of the 1,360kg satellite burned up during re-entry over Antarctica, with the remaining 20% falling into the Atlantic, far from populated areas. On average, satellites and rocket parts fall to Earth about once a week.
