The retired European Remote Sensing Satellite ERS-2 re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over the North Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, at approximately 18:17 CET (17:17 UTC).
ESA’s ERS-2, The second European Remote Sensing satellite, alongside its twin, ERS-1, launched nearly three decades ago, on April 21, 1995, has been pivotal in advancing our comprehension of the Earth’s system.
These satellites have been instrumental in providing critical long-term observations of the Earth’s landscapes, sea surface temperatures, the ozone layer, and the extent of polar ice, thereby transforming our understanding of the planet. ERS-2 also played a key role in natural disaster monitoring and response efforts.
“The ERS satellites have provided a stream of data which has changed our view of the world in which we live,” said ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli. “They have provided us with new insights on our planet, the chemistry of our atmosphere, the behaviour of our oceans, and the effects of mankind’s activity on our environment – creating new opportunities for scientific research and applications.”
Despite a design life of three years, ERS-2 continued operations well beyond its expected timeframe until ESA decided to decommission it in 2011 due to concerns about space debris.
The satellite’s orbit gradually decayed until it re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on February 21, 2024, disintegrating due to atmospheric drag at approximately 80 km altitude. This event was closely monitored by an international coalition led by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee and ESA’s Space Debris Office.
“Uncontrolled Atmospheric reentry has long been a common method for disposing of space objects at the end of their mission,” said Tim Flohrer, Head of ESA’s Space Debris Office. “We see objects similar in size or larger to ERS-2 reentering the atmosphere multiple times each year.”
However, ESA has since shifted towards a ‘controlled’ re-entry approach to enhance space sustainability, aligning with the ESA Zero Debris initiative and the community-led Zero Debris Charter, aiming to minimize space debris and ensure safe satellite decommissioning.
ERS-2 and its precursor ERS-1 were among Europe’s most advanced satellites, carrying scientific instruments that provided valuable data for over 15 years, including Europe’s first atmospheric ozone instrument. These missions have laid the groundwork for subsequent Earth observation missions, contributing to climate change research and operational services benefiting global citizens.
The legacy of the ERS missions, preserved through ESA’s Heritage Space Programme, continues to support contemporary research and operational applications, underscoring ESA’s role in pioneering technologies for Earth observation and environmental monitoring.
