Today, the European Space Agency’s Aeolus spacecraft is scheduled to reenter Earth’s atmosphere, marking a historic event in spaceflight. The spacecraft’s four-day orbit-lowering campaign is a unique endeavor that has never been done before. Aeolus, launched in August 2018, is a pioneering satellite designed to monitor Earth’s winds in great detail. Its data has significantly improved climate models and weather forecasts, surpassing the mission team’s expectations.

The decision to actively control Aeolus’ reentry was made when the spacecraft began running low on fuel. Rather than allowing it to fall in an uncontrolled manner, the mission team orchestrated a de-orbit campaign to ensure Aeolus burns up over an empty stretch of the Atlantic Ocean, eliminating any threats to people and buildings. This campaign, termed a guided reentry, sets a precedent for safe spacecraft operations and sustainable spaceflight.

Space junk is a growing concern, with approximately 10,000 spacecraft in orbit, of which 2,000 are no longer functional, totaling around 11,000 tons. Roughly 100 tons of space debris fall to Earth each year, posing risks to human life and structures. The Aeolus reentry campaign hopes to contribute to addressing this problem by demonstrating controlled reentries as a solution.

While it’s too early to predict Aeolus’ exact descent location, updates from the European Space Agency and the Aeolus team will be forthcoming. Regardless of the outcome, this attempt paves the way for future safe returns of active satellites not originally designed for controlled reentry.

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