The Digester

NASA Van Allen Probe A to reenter Earth on March 10

Mar 10th 2026

Van Allen Probe A, a 1,323-pound NASA satellite launched in 2012, is expected to reenter Earths atmosphere on March 10; most of it should burn up but some parts may survive and the risk to people is very low.

  • Reentry is predicted for March 10 at about 7:45 p.m. EDT plus or minus 24 hours.
  • The spacecraft is Van Allen Probe A, a 1,323-pound 600-kilogram satellite launched in August 2012 with a twin, Probe B.
  • Both probes were deactivated in 2019 after far exceeding their planned two year missions.
  • NASA expects most of the satellite to burn up but says some components may survive, and estimates the risk of injury at about 1 in 4,200.
  • Increased solar activity expanded Earths atmosphere and increased drag, causing Probe A to reenter early while Probe B is not expected to come down before 2030.

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