A Japanese satellite that stopped operating in 1998 will probably enter the atmosphere and fall to Earth between Nov. 31 to Dec. 10, the National Space Development Agency of Japan has announced.
The satellite, Fuyo No. 1, which observed land, resources and the Earth's environment, could fall onto any part of the planet except the Arctic and Antarctica, NASDA officials figured.
The satellite, launched in 1992 and weighing 1,340 kg, was orbiting at an altitude of 342 km as of Monday, according to the officials.
It will be the first time a Japanese satellite that orbited the Earth has fallen back to the planet.
"It will be impossible to predict where the satellite will fall, even at the last minute," an agency official said.
The officials believe only two titanium-alloy spherical tanks resistant to heat will remain unburned in the fall. Each tank is 55 cm in diameter and weighs 7 kg.
The satellite will most likely on Dec. 4, they said.
About 10 Japanese satellites have plunged into the atmosphere so far, but none has been confirmed to have reached the surface.