Van Allen Probes Orbit Diagram (IMAGE)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Van Allen Probes Orbit Diagram

Caption

After performing de-orbit maneuvers in February and March 2019, the Van Allen Probes' highly elliptical orbits will gradually tighten over the next 15-25 years as the spacecraft experience atmospheric drag at perigee, the point in their orbits closest to Earth. This atmospheric drag will pull them into a circular orbit as early as 2034, at which point the spacecraft will begin to enter Earth's atmosphere and safely disintegrate.

Credit

Johns Hopkins APL

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