Satellite debris falls to Earth

SCIENTISTS were trying to establish how and where a defunct German research satellite returned to Earth yesterday, after warning that some parts might survive re-entry and crash at up to 450km/h.

There was no immediate evidence to determine above which continent or country the ROSAT scientific research satellite entered the atmosphere, said Andreas Schuetz, spokesman for the German Aerospace Centre.

Most parts were expected to burn up, but up to 30 fragments could have crashed.

The centre said the satellite entered the atmosphere between 1.45am and 2.15am GMT and would have taken 10 or 15 minutes to hit the ground.