On 8 September 2024, the first of four satellites that make up ESA’s Cluster mission will reenter Earth’s atmosphere over the South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area.

This marks the end of the historic mission, over 24 years after it was sent into space to measure Earth’s magnetic environment. Though the remaining three satellites will also stop making scientific observations, discoveries using existing mission data are expected for years to come.

This ‘targeted reentry’ is the first of its kind. ESA’s efforts to ensure a clean end to the Cluster mission go beyond international standards, making the agency a world-leader in sustainable space exploration.

Link to full articlehere

Related links:
  https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/Salsa_s_last_dance_targets_reentry_over_South_Pacific

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Cluster
  https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Clean_Space/ESA_s_Zero_Debris_approach 

https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Time_to_build_zero-debris_satellites

Frequency asked questions on Cluster’s Salsa reentry

Cluster reentry infographic

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The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia are Associate Members.

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