Space satellite returns to Earth’s atmosphere after almost 30 years

Artist’s impression of the ERS-2 satellite in space (ESA/PA)

A satellite that has been in orbit for nearly 30 years has fallen back down through the Earth’s atmosphere, the European Space Agency (ESA) has said.

The ERS-2 satellite fell in the North Pacific Ocean somewhere between Alaska and Hawaii at around 5.17pm GMT on Wednesday, bringing to an end a nearly three-decade-long orbit.