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Space junk
ISS debris could hit Earth – but Germany is probably not at risk

View of the International Space Station ISS

© NASA / DPA

A discarded battery pack from the ISS has been flying around the world for three years. Now it will soon enter the atmosphere. Some debris could reach the earth’s surface.

Debris from a discarded battery pack from the International Space Station ISS could descend to Earth on Friday. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), which is responsible for space travel, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) announced this unanimously on Thursday morning.

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According to DLR, the object could enter the atmosphere over northern North America based on recent calculations. However, this assessment could still change. However, it is unlikely that parts of the battery pack will fall over Germany. “Bild” first reported on the topic.

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“Initial analyzes by the German space situation center have shown that parts of the battery packs can survive re-entry and reach the earth’s surface,” said the DLR. Before re-entry, the object flew over Germany several times, but a threat in this country is “currently viewed as statistically unlikely.”

Space debris: ISS debris could hit Earth - but Germany is probably not at risk

The BMWK further announced: “If, contrary to expectations, there are indications that Germany is affected, the existing crisis response mechanisms of the federal and state governments will be used to respond appropriately to a possible threat.” The property will be closely monitored.

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According to the information, the object is a platform with battery packs, which was separated from the ISS on March 21, 2021. The object is about the size of a car and weighs 2.6 tons. Parts of the object are likely to burn up as they reenter the atmosphere, but some could also reach the Earth’s surface.

The German space situation center in Uedem will monitor the further development of the upcoming re-entry and report to various federal ministries, state ministries and authorities, wrote the BMWK.