A loud bang and flares in the sky: The Federal Office for Civil Protection points out that space debris will probably enter the atmosphere on Friday. But there appears to be no reason to worry.
In some regions of Germany, a sonic boom could be heard between Friday and Saturday lunchtime. The reason is unusual: a larger space object enters the Earth’s atmosphere. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK) announced that these were discarded battery packs from the International Space Station (ISS).
In addition to the loud bang, glowing phenomena could also be seen in the sky. Apparently there is no reason to worry: According to available information, the probability of debris falling on Germany is considered to be “very low”.
Hazard information via warning apps
In the afternoon, the BBK disseminated relevant official danger information via several warning apps. The Federal Office publishes the information on its homepage probable overflight path of the battery packs.
“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,” said the responsible Federal Ministry of Economics. “As things stand, this is more than unlikely. However, the object is being closely monitored.”
The ministry also pointed out that parts of the battery packs could probably survive re-entry and reach the earth’s surface. According to the Space Situation Center, a threat to Germany is very unlikely.
Space piece the size of a car
According to the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the object is a platform with battery packs. It is about the size of a car and weighs 2,600 kilograms.
The platform was deliberately separated from the ISS on March 21, 2021, only to enter the atmosphere years later. It will largely burn up there. Such maneuvers are planned in such a way that debris that reaches the earth’s surface falls, if possible, over uninhabited areas, said a DLR spokesman.
According to recent calculations, the object could enter the atmosphere over northern North America. However, this assessment could still change.
Oliver Neuroth, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, March 8, 2024 6:03 a.m