[Faline]

A European space satellite that mapped Earth's gravity is heading back towards the atmosphere where it is expected to burn up and disintegrate later today.



Once it reaches 50 miles above the Earth, the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite will begin to break apart.

Around a quarter of the one-ton craft is expected to survive re-entry and crash to Earth.

The European Space Agency says it poses an "extremely low" risk to humans, although they cannot yet predict where it will fall.

The agency's GOCE operations manager Christoph Steiger said: "Recently we have noticed a significant temperature increase in several areas of the spacecraft, arguably linked to GOCE encountering a more dense atmosphere as its orbit keeps dropping.

"GOCE is expected to fall by over 13km today, with the final re-entry into the atmosphere probably less than two days away."

Most of GOCE will be vaporised by the Earth's atmosphere though a few small pieces are expected to survive and fall to earth, covering an area no larger than 200sq ft.

With a sleek design which led to it being dubbed the 'Ferrari of Space', GOCE has mapped variations in Earth’s gravity with extreme detail, scientists say.

The data it supplied led scientists to map of the boundary between Earth's crust and mantle - called the Moho - and to detect sound waves from the massive earthquake that hit Japan in 2011.

GOCE’s mission came to an end when it ran out of fuel and began its descent towards Earth from a height of about 224km (139 miles).

[Megamel29]

Wow. It's amazing all the stuff floating around out there.

[Spiffyfable]

If that lands on you... it's like winning the lottery

[mcpronoun]

The European Space Agency says it poses an "extremely low" risk to humans, although they cannot yet predict where it will fall.

[DannyDrama]

Factually their right, it's highly unlikely.

Doesn't change the fact they seem to be quite happy with a quarter ton of hot metal potentially about to ruin someone's day.

[kellyhound]

it exploded into a fireball somewhere above/near the falkland islands and some parts fell into the southern part of the atlantic ocean.

[Shakey]

Just hope your ass isn't in that 200 sq. ft. area.

[Pyramid_Head]

They should really know where it falls.