Aeolus' Reentry Sets New Safety Standard.

The European Space Agency's (ESA) wind mission, Aeolus, will be brought back to Earth for a fiery reentry and burn-up through the atmosphere. The satellite has exceeded its planned life in orbit and is running out of fuel. ESA's spacecraft operators will aim the mission towards the ocean to reduce the chance of fragments causing harm. This is the first assisted reentry of its kind and sets a precedent for a responsible approach to reduce the problem of space debris and uncontrolled reentries.