A spacecraft could plunge into Earth’s atmosphere as soon as Tuesday. While most of the probe will likely burn up during reentry, a few components are expected to survive.

The Van Allen Probe A, a 1,323-pound NASA satellite that once studied how the Van Allen radiation belts protect the planet from cosmic radiation and space weather, is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere sometime within the next day.

A defunct NASA spacecraft weighing about 1,300 pounds is expected to make a dramatic return to Earth today, bringing an end to a mission that began more than a decade ago. The satellite has spent nearly 14 years orbiting the planet and is now set to plunge ...

NASA's Van Allen Probe A crashed to Earth on Wednesday morning (March 11) after nearly 14 years in orbit, according to the space agency. Most of the spacecraft likely burned up in the atmosphere.

NASA has announced that the "Van Allen Probe A," a spacecraft weighing 1,300 pounds, is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere tonight. This event marks nearly 14 years since its launch.

NASA and the U.S. Space Force have been tracking a one in 4,200 chance that remnants from spacecraft can survive re-entry and harm someone on Earth. (NASA.gov photo)