NASA's Van Allen Probe A Set for Atmospheric Reentry After 14 Years in Orbit
NASA's Van Allen Probe A is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere on March 10, 2026, after nearly 14 years in orbit, with minimal risk to people on the ground.
NASA's Van Allen Probe A, a 1,323-pound spacecraft launched in August 2012, is projected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere on March 10, 2026, at approximately 7:45 p.m. EDT, according to the U.S. Space Force. The reentry window carries an uncertainty of plus or minus 24 hours.
The majority of the spacecraft is expected to disintegrate upon reentry; however, some components may survive. NASA assesses the risk to individuals on the ground as low, estimating the probability of harm at approximately 1 in 4,200.
Originally designed for a two-year mission, Van Allen Probe A, along with its twin, Probe B, spent nearly seven years studying Earth's radiation belts. The mission concluded in 2019 when the spacecraft exhausted their fuel. Initial projections anticipated reentry in 2034, but increased solar activity during the current solar cycle accelerated atmospheric drag, leading to an earlier reentry.
Van Allen Probe B remains in orbit and is not expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere before 2030.