As the UARS satellite slowly approaches it's final reentry point, the FAA decided to take an early warning stance and issue a notice to airmen (NOTAM). The special notice was issued as a general warning to all pilot's to keep a look out for space debris and exercise caution during flight during the effective period.
The NOTAM was issued today and is in effect until further notice. The text of the NOTAM is as follows:
!FDC 1/2720 FDC .. SPECIAL NOTICE .. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL 1109252359 UTC. AIRCRAFT ARE ADVISED THAT A POTENTIAL HAZARD MAY OCCUR DUE TO REENTRY OF SATELLITE UARS INTO THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. FAA IS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND NASA TO ENSURE THE MOST CURRENT RE-ENTRY INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO OPERATORS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. FURTHER NOTAMS WILL BE ISSUED IF SPECIFIC INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE INDICATING A UNITED STATES AIRSPACE IMPACT. IN THE INTEREST OF FLIGHT SAFETY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL PILOTS/FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS REPORT ANY OBSERVED FALLING SPACE DEBRIS TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FACILITY AND INCLUDE POSITION, ALTITUDE, TIME, AND DIRECTION OF DEBRIS OBSERVED. THE DOMESTIC EVENTS NETWORK /DEN/ TELEPHONE 202-493-5107, IS THE FAA COORDINATION FACILITY.
As stated in the NOTAM, any pilot observing debris descending through the atmosphere should notify the appropriate ATC facility and provide as much information as possible so as to assist NASA and the Department of Defense in recovering any debris that may land on solid ground.
While the risk of an aircraft being struck in flight is astronomically remote, it would still be prudent for all pilots flying in the areas that are expected to be effected by the satellites re-entry path to be vigilant and keep a close eye on the sky around and above them. There has not been a single reported incident involving space debris striking any aircraft in flight or even on the ground.
NASA also provided the following as of 7 p.m. EDT on Sept. 23, 2011, 'the orbit of UARS was 90 miles by 95 miles (145 km by 150 km). Re-entry is expected between 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 3 a.m., Sept. 24, Eastern Daylight Time (3 a.m. to 7 a.m. GMT). During that time period, the satellite will be passing over Canada, Africa and Australia, as well as vast areas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. The risk to public safety is very remote.'
Some websites that can be used to track the satellites path and re-entry are NASA and N2YO, however, connections to these sites has been sporadic all day due to very heavy internet traffic on each. Please stay tuned for any updates that may indicate a greater risk to aviation from the re-entry.
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