Last night, at 00:00, we have switched off the payload on all the remaining spacecraft and this morning we have successfully downlinked all the remaining science data on-board.
With the reentry of its first of four satellites, it's time to bid our Cluster mission farewell. After 24 years in space, this marks the end of science observations for the prolific mission. esa.int/Science_Exploration/…
With this first-ever targeted reentry, Cluster will go down in history for a second reason – taking ESA well beyond international standards, and helping ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities.
📸First recorded observation of a satellite reentry from a high-speed orbit, taken from a plane in bright daylight!
ALT A black-and-white image showing Earth's surface at the bottom and a bright dot in the distance above Earth's surface. At the top left of the image are three curved lines.
With the reentry complete, we're hoping to learn more soon about the results of an airborne observation experiment. With the plane three hours from land, we wait patiently for further information.
We’ll be back tomorrow with an update. More info via our blog 👉 blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
For now, thank you for following and goodnight!
ALT Infographic that describes the reentry of the first of four Cluster satellites
Right about now, Cluster's Salsa satellite is taking the plunge into Earth's atmosphere.
Farewell, Salsa! Thank you for your service!🫡
ALT Illustration of a satellite burning up as it travels through Earth's atmosphere. Pieces of the satellite are breaking off
A few minutes ago, the Cluster operations team successfully listened one final time for Salsa via the Estrack ground station in Kourou.
Communication with the satellite has now reached its end.
With just one hour to go until reentry, find out what we're doing and why 👇 esa.int/Science_Exploration/…
ESA Cluster retweeted
The exact moment on Friday when the @ESA_Cluster operations team recovered Salsa for one final orbit after its searing hot final perigee knocked the spacecraft into survival mode. That final orbit comes to an end in just ~90 minutes. 👏🥲
🆕 Latest news on Salsa. The satellite is expected to reenter at 20:47 CEST (18:47 UTC) today, with an uncertainty of just four seconds either way.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates 👉 blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
Everything you need to know about our world-first targeted reentry, taking place this evening 👇
youtube.com/watch?v=KFNLzU3G…
It's the final dance for Salsa 💃
The satellite has just gone to the furthest point in its orbit around Earth one last time and is now heading back towards our planet for the big finale.
ALT Infographic that describes the reentry of the first of four Cluster satellites.
🆕 Latest news on Salsa. The satellite is expected to reenter at 20:48 CEST (18:48 UTC) on 8 September 2024, with an uncertainty of two minutes either way 👇
blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
We're getting closer and closer to waving this satellite a goodbye forever 🥹
ALT Illustration of a Cluster satellite approaching Earth.
The teams at @esaoperations centre ESOC and in Easter Island are continuing the preparations for the reentry and the attempt to observe it from a plane.
Here they are at Sydney airport, ready for the test flights 👇
📷 FalconAir
ALT The reentry science team early in the morning at Sydney airport, ready for the test flights. We see ten people in front of the plane and the pilot in the cockpit.
Salsa spotted! 🛰️🔭
Our in-house planetary defence team turned their attention to the asteroid-lookalike Cluster satellite as it dips deeper and deeper into Earth's atmosphere.
We are not the only ones watching Salsa though. Below is the Cluster satellite streaking across the skies in May. Find out who took this 👇 Hint: 💙💛
blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
Salsa will soon be taking a plunge into Earth's atmosphere ☁️🛰️
Not much of the 550 kg satellite will survive the reentry. If small parts do survive, they will make a splashdown in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean.
For updates see our blog 👉 blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/
ALT Banner of the Rocket Science blog, showing the Cluster spacecraft orbiting in the background. The text on top reads: Rocket Science. News from the edge of gravity.
Cluster was never designed to last for as long as 24 years, nor to perform a targeted reentry. And yet, here we are.
On 8 September, the first of four Cluster satellites is plunging back into Earth’s atmosphere. Here's everything you need to know 👇
esa.int/Science_Exploration/…