The Horn News

Proudly American, Fiercely Independent

Get in the loop!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Policy

One moment, please:

Processing your submission

  • Home
  • Politics
  • National News
  • Money
  • International
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • America Unleashed

Old NASA satellite falls from sky near Alaska

January 9, 2023 By: The Horn editorial team

  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • Post

After almost 40 years circling Earth, a retired NASA science satellite plunged harmlessly through the atmosphere off the coast of Alaska, NASA reported Monday.

The Defense Department confirmed that the satellite — placed in orbit in 1984 by astronaut Sally Ride — reentered late Sunday night over the Bering Sea, a few hundred miles from Alaska. NASA said it’s received no reports of injury or damage from falling debris.

Late last week, NASA said it expected most of the 5,400-pound (2,450-kilogram) Earth Radiation Budget Satellite to burn up in the atmosphere, but that some pieces might survive. The space agency put the odds of falling debris injuring someone at 1-in-9,400.

Space shuttle Challenger carried the satellite into orbit and the first American woman in space set it free. The satellite measured ozone in the atmosphere and studied how Earth absorbed and radiated energy from the sun, before being retired in 2005, well beyond its expected working lifetime.

 

Read more: Childhood obesity warrants pharm intervention, new guidelines say

 

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

GAM slot1

POPULAR

  • Red state suddenly bans 4th of July fireworks (seriously?)
  • Legendary comedian and filmmaker turns 100
  • King Charles downsizes, moves out of swanky digs!?
  • Beloved tennis great announces her cancer has returned (sad)
  • Grammy-winning lead singer for legendary rock band dies at 84
  • Bible reading coming to a public school near you? (yes, really!)
  • Harvey Weinstein walks free ahead of shocking rape trial?
  • Groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling is great news for 2nd Amendment

GAM slot2

GAM slot3

GAM slot4

  • Sign Up Now
  • About Us
  • Social
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Join FREE

Copyright © 2026 | NewMarket Health Publishing, LLC