Speaker
Description
The predictability of reentries of artificial satellites has seen considerable enhancement in recent years. The Cluster-II space mission, conducted by the ESA with participation from NASA, consists of four identical cylindrical satellites operating in a tetrahedral formation and following a highly elliptical orbit. The Salsa satellite re-entered the atmosphere on 8 September 2024, while Rumba re-entered on 22 October 2025. The other two satellites, Samba and Tango, are anticipated to re-enter in late summer 2026. Following the reentry of the Rumba satellite from Cluster, we evaluated the current forecasts and refined our dynamical model. Our observations indicate that the accurate prediction of Rumba's orbital motion relies on precise initial conditions and a suitable numerical integrator. With each reentry, we deepen our understanding and enhance our predictive capabilities.