ESA performs targeted reentry of Cluster satellite

The European Space Agency successfully deorbited the first of four Cluster space science satellites Sept. 8, performing a first-of-its-kind “targeted reentry” over the South Pacific. The satellite, called Cluster 2 or “Salsa,” reentered a 2:47 p.m. Eastern in the South Pacific west of Chile. Spacecraft controllers had targeted this area to minimize the risk from debris surviving reentry. “Salsa’s reentry was always going to be very low risk, but we wanted to push the boundaries and reduce the threat even further, demonstrating our commitment to ESA’s Zero Debris approach,” Rolf Densing, director of operations at ESA, said in a statement. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Sep 10)