NASA's Van Allen Probe A Set for Atmospheric Reentry After 14 Years in Orbit

NASA's Van Allen Probe A, a 1,323-pound spacecraft launched in August 2012 to study Earth's radiation belts, is anticipated to reenter the atmosphere on March 10, 2026. The U.S. Space Force predicts the reentry will occur around 7:45 p.m. EDT, with a margin of error of plus or minus 24 hours.

The mission, originally planned for two years, extended to nearly seven, concluding in 2019 when the probe exhausted its fuel. During its operation, the probe provided valuable data on the Van Allen belts, regions of charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field.

While most of the spacecraft is expected to disintegrate upon reentry, some components may survive. NASA estimates the risk of debris causing harm to individuals on the ground is approximately 1 in 4,200, considered extremely low.

The earlier-than-expected reentry, initially projected for 2034, is attributed to increased solar activity that expanded Earth's upper atmosphere, accelerating the probe's orbital decay.

NASA and the U.S. Space Force continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.