Fugitive Satellite Expected To Re-Enter Atmosphere

The satellite-on-a-wire that broke loose from space shuttle Columbia was expected to plunge into the atmosphere and burn up Tuesday night, but nobody was sure where it would happen or whether anyone would be able see it.

The satellite and about 12 miles of tether floated off as Columbia’s astronauts unreeled it Feb. 25 for a $400 million-plus experiment in generating electricity.

The U.S. Space Command said the half-ton satellite was expected to fall into Earth’s atmosphere before midnight but its orbit was changing constantly, making it hard to tell where it would re-enter.