Bits of Russia Space Probe Set to Fall January 15

Fragments of a failed Russian space probe are now expected to fall to Earth on January 15, officials said January 4.

The unmanned Phobos-Ground probe was launched November 9, 2011, on what was supposed to have been a 2.5-year mission to the Mars moon of Phobus to take soil samples and fly them back to Earth. However, it became stuck in Earth’s orbit and attempts to send commands that could propel it toward the Mars moon were unsuccessful.

As the probe’s orbit slowly deteriorated, space officials predicted it would come crashing down between late December and late February.

A precise date was given by a spokesman for the air and space defense troops, who said any fragments that do not burn up in the atmosphere are expected to fall to Earth on January 15.

The date could still be affected by external factors and Defense Ministry troops are monitoring changes in the probe’s orbit, Russian state news agencies quoted Alexei Zolotukin as saying.

The failed spacecraft weighs 13.2 metric tons (14.6 tons). Most of that weight, about 11 metric tons (12 tons), is highly toxic fuel. Experts have said that, if the fuel has frozen, some could survive the plummet to Earth. However, if it is liquid, it will likely combust from the heat of re-entering the atmosphere.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press