The NASA Van Allen probe will return to Earth today. The satellite will crash, but no damage is anticipated.

The NASA Van Allen A probe, weighing 1,300 kilograms, is preparing to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere today, approximately 14 years after its launch. According to NASA, the return is estimated for 7:45 PM ET, with an uncertainty margin of 24 hours. Although most of the probe's components will be destroyed during re-entry, some parts may survive. The risk of someone on Earth being injured is 1 in 4,200, which is considered low. The probe, along with its sister, Van Allen B, was sent to study the Earth's permanent radiation belts, known as the Van Allen belts, which protect the planet from cosmic radiation and solar storms. Although the original mission was only for two years, the probe operated for nearly seven years, setting records for operational duration in that region. During the mission, the probe made significant discoveries, including the existence of a third radiation belt that forms during periods of intense solar activity. The mission ended in 2019 when the probes ran out of fuel. Although it was estimated that Van Allen Probe A would re-enter the atmosphere in 2034, recent space weather events have accelerated the process.