Old NASA Science Satellite Plunges Back to Earth

The Van Allen Probe A reentered over the Pacific near the Galapagos Islands.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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An old NASA science satellite, the Van Allen Probe A, plunged uncontrolled from orbit and reentered over the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday. NASA expected some of the 1,323-pound spacecraft to survive entry, with most of it burning up in the atmosphere.

Why it matters

The Van Allen Probe A was launched in 2012 to study the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding Earth, but ceased operations in 2019 after running out of fuel. Its uncontrolled reentry highlights the challenges of predicting and managing the deorbiting of aging spacecraft.

The details

The U.S. Space Force reported that the Van Allen Probe A came in west of the Galapagos Islands. NASA put the risk of bodily harm from the reentry at 1-in-4,200. The probe's twin, the Van Allen Probe B, is still orbiting Earth but no longer functioning. Intense solar activity over the past several years hastened the A probe's demise, despite initial predictions that it would remain in orbit until 2034.

  • The Van Allen Probe A reentered over the Pacific on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
  • The Van Allen Probe A and B were launched in 2012 and operated for 7 years before ceasing operation in 2019.

The players

Van Allen Probe A

An old NASA science satellite that plunged uncontrolled from orbit and reentered over the Pacific Ocean.

Van Allen Probe B

The twin spacecraft to the Van Allen Probe A that is still orbiting Earth, but no longer functioning.

NASA

The U.S. space agency that launched the Van Allen Probes in 2012 to study the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding Earth.

U.S. Space Force

The military branch that reported the Van Allen Probe A reentered over the Pacific west of the Galapagos Islands.

Marco Langbroek

A Dutch scientist who noted that all reentries are difficult to predict, but this one was especially challenging given the Van Allen Probe A's eccentric, lopsided orbit.

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What they’re saying

“All re-entries are difficult to predict, but this one was especially challenging given its eccentric, lopsided orbit.”

— Marco Langbroek, Dutch scientist

The takeaway

The uncontrolled reentry of the Van Allen Probe A highlights the ongoing challenges of managing the deorbiting of aging spacecraft, especially those in complex orbits. As more satellites are launched, the need for improved tracking and deorbiting strategies will only increase.