An out-of-control satellite has fallen to Earth, nearly three decades after it launched.
The ERS-2 satellite, which served as an observation platform after launching in 1995, landed in the Pacific Ocean between Alaska and Hawaii on Wednesday.
The European Space Agency (ESA) said the risks associated with the two-tonne satellite were “very low”, however there was still a chance that fragments could hit populated areas.
Mirko Albani from ESA’s Earth Observation Ground Segment Department said: “It’s worth highlighting that none of the elements that might re-enter the atmosphere (and reach the surface) are radioactive or toxic.”
The predicted time for the satellite entering the Earth’s atmosphere was originally 3.49pm GMT (10.49 EST) on Wednesday, however it remained orbiting the planet for up to an hour.
You can follow all the latest news, updates and developments of the ERS-2 satellite as it heads towards Earth in our live blog below.
