2.6 tons of space debris from the International Space Station just fell back to Earth

2.6 tons of space debris from the International Space Station re-enters Earth's atmosphere on an uncontrolled trajectory.

On March 7, 2024, residents in Germany received a warning from the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) about space debris expected to fly over the country on March 8-9. (AP)

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1/5 On March 7, 2024, residents in Germany received a warning from the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) about space debris expected to fly over the country on March 8-9. (AP)

Details were sparse, but authorities expected a palette of nine batteries, weighing 2.6 metric tons, to reenter Earth's atmosphere on an uncontrolled trajectory. Most of the battery was expected to burn up on reentry, reported DW. (AFP)

2/5 Details were sparse, but authorities expected a palette of nine batteries, weighing 2.6 metric tons, to reenter Earth's atmosphere on an uncontrolled trajectory. Most of the battery was expected to burn up on reentry, reported DW. (AFP)

The European Space Agency (ESA) was actively monitoring the situation of falling space debris. The trajectory of the ISS battery pack had a "natural" path between -51.6 degrees south and 51.6 degrees north. (Pixabay)

3/5 The European Space Agency (ESA) was actively monitoring the situation of falling space debris. The trajectory of the ISS battery pack had a "natural" path between -51.6 degrees south and 51.6 degrees north. (Pixabay)

Despite concerns, ESA assured that the risk to human life from the falling space debris was very low. The trajectory took the debris over many regions, including Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. (REUTERS)

4/5 Despite concerns, ESA assured that the risk to human life from the falling space debris was very low. The trajectory took the debris over many regions, including Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. (REUTERS)

According to ESA, space debris re-enters the Earth's atmosphere almost every week. Despite the rise in space debris events, the likelihood of being hit by space debris remains incredibly low compared to other risks. (Pixabay)

5/5 According to ESA, space debris re-enters the Earth's atmosphere almost every week. Despite the rise in space debris events, the likelihood of being hit by space debris remains incredibly low compared to other risks. (Pixabay)