This past weekend, a vibrant fireball appeared over several southern states in the United States, sparking curiosity and intrigue among observers. Contrary to initial assumptions, this spectacle was not a meteor but the reentry and subsequent disintegration of a derelict Chinese satellite, SuperView 1-02.
On December 21, 2024, residents across at least 12 states spanning from Texas to Florida, and reaching as far north as Indiana and Illinois, witnessed a brilliant fireball streaking across the night sky. Initially believed to be a meteor due to its fiery appearance, it was soon identified as the defunct SuperView 1-02 satellite burning up. The American Meteor Society received over 120 reports of the sighting, highlighting the rarity and spectacle of the event.
According to Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who monitors satellite launches and reentries, the SuperView 1-02 reentered Earth’s atmosphere above New Orleans at 0408 UTC on December 22 (10:08 p.m. CST, December 21). The satellite then traveled northward over Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and was widely observed. McDowell shared these details along with the trajectory of the space debris via a post on social media platform, X.
The SuperView 1 satellites, launched in December 2016, were China’s first commercial high-resolution Earth observation satellites. Weighing about 1,235 pounds (560 kilograms) each, they were equipped with high-resolution cameras capable of capturing detailed images with a resolution of about 0.5 meters per pixel. The satellites, SuperView 1-01 and SuperView 1-02, initially encountered an unexpected orbital path post-launch, entering elliptical orbits ranging from 133 miles to 326 miles above Earth. Despite these early challenges, they managed to adjust their orbits over time to fulfill their Earth observation missions.
The reentry of SuperView 1-02 not only caught the attention of stargazers but also posed questions about space debris and its impact on Earth’s atmosphere. Instances like these highlight the growing concern over defunct satellites and other space junk reentering Earth’s atmosphere, an issue that space agencies around the world continue to address.
The spectacular burn-up of SuperView 1-02 serves as a reminder of the intricate dance between technology and nature. While capturing the imagination of those lucky enough to witness it, the event underscores the ongoing dialogue about sustainable practices in space exploration and satellite management.
