The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Salsa satellite is preparing for its final descent, marking the end of a significant chapter in space exploration. After 24 years of providing valuable data on Earth's magnetic shield, Salsa will re-enter Earth's atmosphere on September 8, 2024.

About Salsa

Launched in 2000, Salsa was part of the Cluster mission, an effort to study Earth's magnetosphere, which acts as a protective layer against the solar wind. This magnetosphere serves as a shield, safeguarding Earth from harmful solar particles. The Cluster satellites, including Salsa, have been essential in monitoring space weather and its impacts, from spectacular auroras to potential disruptions in technology.

A Controlled Re-entry

In a testament to ESA’s commitment to space safety, Salsa’s re-entry will be meticulously controlled. This ‘targeted re-entry’ aims to ensure the satellite disintegrates upon atmospheric entry, thus reducing space debris. The satellite will descend from an altitude of about 110 kilometres to 80 kilometres, with a planned landing zone in the remote South Pacific Ocean, away from populated areas.

“Adjusting Salsa’s orbit for a controlled re-entry reflects our commitment to both safety and precision,” said Bruno Sousa, Cluster Operations Manager. “This careful planning will ensure the spacecraft burns up as it re-enters the atmosphere.”

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Looking to the Future

After Salsa’s re-entry, the remaining Cluster satellites—Rumba, Samba, and Tango—will enter a ‘caretaker’ phase. Although they will cease scientific operations, ESA will continue to monitor them to avoid collisions with other spacecraft or Earth. Rumba is scheduled for a controlled re-entry in November 2025, with Samba and Tango to follow in 2024 and 2026, respectively.

ESA is already looking ahead to its next mission. The Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (Smile), a collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will build on the Cluster mission’s legacy. Smile aims to further our understanding of Earth’s magnetic environment and continue the exploration of space weather.

As Salsa completes its mission, it not only brings to a close a remarkable journey but also highlights ESA’s role in advancing space safety and sustainable exploration. The agency looks forward to the new insights that future missions will provide.

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