ESA's Last Glimpse: Aeolus Satellite's Fiery Farewell

The European Space Agency's wind-profiling mission, Aeolus, captured its final images before its controlled reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The images show the satellite beginning to tumble as it was buffeted by Earth's atmosphere during its brief "junk" phase. Aeolus was in orbit for nearly five years before being passivated and handed over to the Space Debris Office. The satellite's final descent was tracked, and it ultimately burned up in Earth's atmosphere over Antarctica. The mission's success highlights sustainable spaceflight and responsible operations.