Unique chance to improve space sustainability

The remaining three spacecraft in the Cluster quartet will continue to carry out scientific observations, with a particular focus on auroral physics, until September. Salsa may join in for some final observations too, if it is still able to generate enough power after the eclipse season.

Like many of our satellites, the Cluster spacecraft were designed and launched before ESA’s current guidelines for limiting the creation of space debris came into effect.

Nevertheless, ESA is taking action to minimise the environmental impact of its older missions. Last summer, we guided ESA’s wind mission, Aeolus, back to Earth over sparsely populated regions in a first-of-its-kind assisted reentry. Thanks to this month’s activities, Salsa’s reentry in September will take place over a region of similarly sparse population, air, and maritime traffic.