McDowell reported that on October 29, NEOWISE was in orbit with a perigee of 206 kilometers and an apogee of 213 kilometers. According to the scientist, the spacecraft will enter the Earth's atmosphere on November 2. Given the telescope's considerable size, some of its debris may reach the Earth's surface.
Previously, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that the NEOWISE orbital telescope (Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) would cease operations on July 31, 2024. A week later, it was put into hibernation mode.
In 2027, NASA plans to launch a successor to NEOWISE — the new infrared telescope NEO Surveyor. It will focus on searching for and detecting asteroids and comets that could pose a threat to Earth.