(Image Source: MSNBC)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN
ANCHOR KYLIE MCGIVERN

You're watching multisource science video news analysis from Newsy.

Yes, it’s happening again. Another satellite is coming down, and no one knows where it will land. Here’s Fox News.


“Look out! Another doomed satellite expected to hit Earth this weekend. Experts predict up to 30 huge pieces of this German spacecraft there that you’re looking at will come crashing down along a 50-mile path. Exactly when and where it will fall still remains a mystery. Do we do this every weekend?”


The satellite is called ROSAT, and several pieces are expected to survive re-entry, ranging from a few pounds to a ton. Astronomer Phil Plait gives a little history of the crashing spacecraft to NPR’s Ira Flatow.


“...it was an astronomical satellite that observed exploding stars and galaxies and all kinds of high-energy violent events like that. It was launched by NASA in 1990, served for many years, did great work for the astronomical community. There was a glitch many years ago that shut it down. It's been in orbit ever since. And now its number is up.”


Last month, NASA’s Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite pulled the same psych out, changing course several times before finally crashing into the Pacific.

The problem with figuring out where a satellite will land is that the upper atmosphere is extremely hard to model. And when an object is travelling 17,000 mph, even a small miscalculation can put it hundreds of miles off course.


Although scientists can rule out virtually no part of the globe for the landing site, USA Today reminds us, the odds of getting hit are slim.


“Officials put the overall odds at 1 in 2,000 that someone somewhere will be hit, with even longer odds that any debris will crash into a densely populated area...”


Since it looks like falling satellites will be a regular occurrence, it wouldn’t hurt to know a little law for if a piece lands on your property. A writer for Life’s Little Mysteries explains, this particular satellite is jointly owned by the US, UK and Germany -- they’ll still own it after the crash landing.


“To keep a piece, or to try to sell it, would be illegal -- unless the [agencies] relinquish ownership of the debris. ... The good news is that if the satellite, or even just sizable chunks of it, did in fact slam into your house, you wouldn't need to sell your new space souvenir to pay for repairs. By international law, the three countries would have to foot the bill.”