India, March 11 -- Fragments of a large Nasa satellite are expected to plunge back to Earth, though experts said the chances of anyone being hurt are extremely small. The satellite, weighing about 600 kg (1,323 pounds), is one of two probes launched in 2012 to study the Van Allen radiation belts, regions of charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field. According to the US Space Force, the satellite, known as Van Allen Probe A, is predicted to re-enter the atmosphere around 7:45 pm EDT on March 10, 2026.

As it hurtles back toward Earth, most of the spacecraft will burn up due to intense heat and friction. However, officials said a few sturdy pieces could survive the fiery descent and reach the ground. The Space Force estimated the ...