Retired ISS Batteries Reenter Earth's Atmosphere, Prompting Concern

A pallet of used batteries from the International Space Station (ISS) is set to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, with some parts likely to hit the ground. The re-entry is predicted to occur within a large area, making pinpointing the location difficult. The batteries, originally intended for disposal in an uninhabited area, were left over after a Soyuz failure in 2018 disrupted plans for their controlled re-entry. While the probability of the debris causing injuries is minimal, authorities have issued warnings, and the event is expected to bring about luminous phenomena and sonic booms.