In this Nov.2, 2011 file photo distributed by Russian Roscosmos space agency shows technicians working on the Phobos-Ground probe.
Once a symbol of Russia's out-of-this-world ambitions, an unmanned probe struck in cosmic purgatory is expected to come crashing down to Earth on Sunday.
Phobos-Ground is expected fall to Earth between 11:41 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. ET, the country's space agency Roscosmos said.
The 13,500 kilo probe was designed to travel to a moon of Mars but those plans were derailed when it got stuck in Earth's orbit.
Now, experts say it's only a matter of time before Phobos-Ground plummets somewhere along its orbiting route over Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia or South America.
Canada, the United States and a large swath of Russia, the probe's birthplace, are outside of the anticipated landing zone.
Kevin Shortt, President of the Canadian Space Society, said the probe wasn't designed to return to Earth this way which is why its exact landing point has been difficult to pinpoint.
"It's actually now coming back in an uncontrolled manner and that's why there's been so much uncertainty," he told CTV News Channel on Sunday.
Shortt said recent reports predict the probe will land somewhere in China's Gobi Desert later Sunday.
Previous reports have pegged the possible landing site in the Pacific Ocean off of Chile to other places in South America.
"As it gets lower in the atmosphere, they can refine their understanding of where it's going to land," explained Shortt.
While experts are still unsure of where the Phobos-Ground might hit the ground, they've assured probe-weary Earthlings that it probably won't pose any risk to humans.
Shortt said there was initially some concern over whether the probe's "very toxic" fuel would make it to the Earth's surface, but experts have since ruled that out.
"All of that fuel will get dissipated in the atmosphere upon reentry," he said, noting that the probe uses aluminum tanks to contain the fuel.
The probe's 11 tonnes of rocket fuel has gone untouched since it got stuck in orbit after its Nov. 9 launch.
As for the rest of the probe? Roscosmos predicts that only about 200 kilograms of it will survive the fiery crash down to Earth.
Russia spent $170 million on Phobos-Ground, making it the nation's most expensive and ambitious space project since the Soviet era.
The probe also marked the first time Russia had set its sights beyond Earth's orbit since a failed 1996 mission to Mars.
Source:http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120115/russia-mars-satellite-crash-phobos-20120115/20120115/?hub=EdmontonHomePhobos-Ground is expected fall to Earth between 11:41 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. ET, the country's space agency Roscosmos said.
The 13,500 kilo probe was designed to travel to a moon of Mars but those plans were derailed when it got stuck in Earth's orbit.
Now, experts say it's only a matter of time before Phobos-Ground plummets somewhere along its orbiting route over Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia or South America.
Canada, the United States and a large swath of Russia, the probe's birthplace, are outside of the anticipated landing zone.
Kevin Shortt, President of the Canadian Space Society, said the probe wasn't designed to return to Earth this way which is why its exact landing point has been difficult to pinpoint.
"It's actually now coming back in an uncontrolled manner and that's why there's been so much uncertainty," he told CTV News Channel on Sunday.
Shortt said recent reports predict the probe will land somewhere in China's Gobi Desert later Sunday.
Previous reports have pegged the possible landing site in the Pacific Ocean off of Chile to other places in South America.
"As it gets lower in the atmosphere, they can refine their understanding of where it's going to land," explained Shortt.
While experts are still unsure of where the Phobos-Ground might hit the ground, they've assured probe-weary Earthlings that it probably won't pose any risk to humans.
Shortt said there was initially some concern over whether the probe's "very toxic" fuel would make it to the Earth's surface, but experts have since ruled that out.
"All of that fuel will get dissipated in the atmosphere upon reentry," he said, noting that the probe uses aluminum tanks to contain the fuel.
The probe's 11 tonnes of rocket fuel has gone untouched since it got stuck in orbit after its Nov. 9 launch.
As for the rest of the probe? Roscosmos predicts that only about 200 kilograms of it will survive the fiery crash down to Earth.
Russia spent $170 million on Phobos-Ground, making it the nation's most expensive and ambitious space project since the Soviet era.
The probe also marked the first time Russia had set its sights beyond Earth's orbit since a failed 1996 mission to Mars.
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