NASA's Van Allen Probe A Reenters Earth's Atmosphere Ahead of Schedule

NASA's Van Allen Probe A reentered Earth's atmosphere at 6:37 a.m. EDT on March 11, 2026, over the eastern Pacific Ocean. The 1,323-pound spacecraft, launched in 2012 to study Earth's radiation belts, was expected to burn up upon reentry, though some components may have survived. The U.S. Space Force confirmed the reentry location at approximately 2 degrees south latitude and 255.3 degrees east longitude.

Originally designed for a two-year mission, the Van Allen Probes A and B exceeded expectations, operating until 2019. They provided critical data on Earth's radiation belts, including the discovery of a transient third belt during periods of intense solar activity.

Initial projections estimated Probe A would reenter in 2034. However, heightened solar activity during the current solar cycle increased atmospheric drag, leading to an earlier reentry. Probe B is now expected to reenter no earlier than 2030.

NASA assessed the risk to the public as low, with a 1 in 4,200 chance of debris causing harm. The agency noted that about 70% of Earth's surface is covered by oceans, making it more likely that any surviving debris would fall into open waters rather than populated areas.