One-tonne GOCE satellite set to re-enter somewhere on Earth very shortly

[gary]

Fragments of the one-tonne Gravity Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite are
likely to crash to Earth within the next 24 to 48 hours according to ESA.
However, they do not know precisely when or where.

Story in Sydney Morning Herald here -
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/onetonne-satellite-to-crash-with-earth-20131110-2xa7i.html

[gary]

GOCE's polar orbit also results in it passing over most locations on Earth at one time
or another.

For example, if its orbit had not been in decay it would have passed a couple of times
south to north over South Australia/Northern Territory and then West Australia
on 11 Nov 2013 between approximately 10:36 UTC to 12:06 UTC.

The decaying orbit would no longer make these predicted passes accurate.

However, if it has not re-entered before that time, Australian observers in South Australia and West Australia
might like to follow events online and set up cameras in anticipation, in case it does put on a show.

[JB80]

Here are a couple of real time trackers if anyone is interested.

http://www.n2yo.com/?s=34602

http://www.satview.org/forec.php?sat_id=34602U

[ZeroID]

That second URL seems to be working better. The first one comes up as not available ( it was last week ) Probably getting swamped with view requests.
Thanks

[gary]

Hi Jarrod.

So these guy's program is currently predicting Iran in about three hours from
now at 03:59 UTC (14:59 AEDT) with the proviso the margin of error is
+/-3 orbits. :)

[astroron]

She is finished,no damage done.:)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/GOCE/GOCE_gives_in_to_gravity

Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Ron,

It will be interesting to hear where they believe that 25% they estimated actually
came down.

Edit - It is more likely that it came down on the pass that was to take it over India.
Perhaps it in the western Pacific or Alaska?

[astroron]

If it was over Alaska or the Western Pacific? not much to hit there in the way of people or infrastructure.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

In an update on the ESA web site, the estimated area where the remnants fell
is in the southern Atlantic, near the Falkland Islands.

Story here -
http://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/2013/11/11/goce-re-entry-region/