A Chinese commercial Earth-imaging satellite called Superview 1-02 re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on December 21, burning up over several states in the Southern United States. The fireball was visible across Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri, with many witnesses mistaking it for a meteor shower.
The satellite, launched in 2016, was decommissioned two years ago due to technical issues. It re-entered the atmosphere at an extremely high speed of 17,000 mph, generating significant attention on social media. The disintegration of the satellite highlighted concerns about space debris and the need for effective management strategies.
The American Meteor Society received over 120 reports of the fireball, further fueling speculation about its origin. Meanwhile, another Chinese spacecraft broke apart over Puerto Rico earlier this week, marking the latest in a series of re-entries by Chinese satellites over the US.
As the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise, it is crucial that we develop strategies for managing space junk and preventing future hazards. The re-entry of Superview 1-02 serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible satellite deployment and maintenance.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/space/china-satellite-burns-over-us-sky