1 in 2,000 chance of hitting a human: Space telescope to crash into Earth today

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift space telescope is expected to crash into Earth today, with a 1 in 2,000 chance of hitting a person. The potential impact zone spans Central and South America, Africa, southern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia.

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift space telescope is expected to crash into Earth today (Wednesday), after nearly 22 years since its launch. Weighing 1,360 kg, it is expected to mostly burn up in the atmosphere, but parts may reach the ground. NASA estimates the chance of hitting a person at 1 in 2,000. The potential impact zone lies between 20.6 degrees south and 20.6 degrees north latitude, about 2,285 km on each side of the equator, covering Central and South America, central Africa, southern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. The exact crash time is unknown; estimates range from 11:20 to 15:40 Israel time. The telescope stopped collecting data at an altitude of 275 km, after a rescue attempt in July failed.