Nasa says its six-tonne UARS satellite has plunged to Earth over the Pacific Ocean, off the US west coast. The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is the largest American space agency satellite to return uncontrolled into the atmosphere in the past 30 years. It reached Earth somewhere between 03:23 and 05:09 GMT. Precises locations of where the debris have landed are still being determined and there have been Twitter posts that suggest that debris may have fallen in western Canada. Officials say that the risk of injury was very low and the majority of the debris would burn up in the atmosphere. However, they do urge the public not to touch pieces from the satellite if they find any. Also, the US government still retains ownership of the debris found and may take possession of the items at any time. With that, the US is held reliable for the damages it may cause, as well as international liability.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15034073
By: Carmen Brodnax
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