NASA's Van Allen Probe A Reenters Earth's Atmosphere Over Pacific Ocean

NASA's Van Allen Probe A reentered Earth's atmosphere on March 11, 2026, at 6:37 a.m. EDT, over the eastern Pacific Ocean. Launched in August 2012 alongside its twin, Van Allen Probe B, the spacecraft studied Earth's radiation belts for nearly seven years before being deactivated in 2019.

The U.S. Space Force confirmed the reentry occurred at approximately 2 degrees south latitude and 255.3 degrees east longitude. NASA anticipated that most of the 1,323-pound (600-kilogram) spacecraft would burn up during reentry, though some components might survive. The agency estimated the risk of harm to individuals on the ground at approximately 1 in 4,200.

Originally designed for a two-year mission, the Van Allen Probes exceeded expectations by operating for nearly seven years, providing valuable data on Earth's radiation belts. When the mission concluded in 2019, projections indicated that Probe A would remain in orbit until 2034. However, increased solar activity during the current solar cycle caused the atmosphere to expand, increasing drag on the spacecraft and leading to an earlier-than-expected reentry.

Van Allen Probe B remains in orbit but is no longer functioning and is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere no earlier than 2030.