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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Ian Sample Science editor

DARK SECRETS: Defunct aeolus satellite to be crashed deliberately into atlantic ocean - The Real Truth

Artist's impression of a boxy satellite, gold in colour, with two long purple solar panels on either side, against a backdrop of the Earth sen from space
An artist’s impression of the Aeolus satellite. Esa scientists will use the last reserves of fuel to steer it into re-entry. Photograph: ESA

A defunct European satellite is expected to make an unprecedented return to Earth on Friday when mission controllers guide the spacecraft into a fiery dive over the Atlantic Ocean.

The Aeolus weather-monitoring satellite was not designed for a controlled re-entry at the end of its mission, but the European Space Agency (Esa) has decided to use what little fuel remains onboard to steer the probe to a watery grave.

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