U.S. Strategic Command's (USSTRATCOM) Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC), through the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC), confirmed Tiangong-1 reentered the Earth's atmosphere over the southern Pacific Ocean at approximately 5:16 p.m. (PST) April 1, 2018.

The JFSCC used the Space Surveillance Network sensors and their orbital analysis system to confirm Tiangong-1's reentry, and to refine its prediction and ultimately provide more fidelity as the reentry time approached.

The JFSCC also confirmed reentry through coordination with counterparts in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

"The JFSCC works alongside government, industry and international partners to track and report reentries, to include Tiangong-1's reentry, because the space domain is vital to our shared international security interests," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Whiting, Deputy Commander, JFSCC, and Commander, 14th Air Force.

"One of our missions, which we remain focused on, is to monitor space and the tens of thousands of pieces of debris that congest it, while at the same time working with allies and partners to enhance spaceflight safety and increase transparency in the space domain."

The JFSCC, in conjunction with the 18th Space Control Squadron, is committed to promoting a safe, stable, sustainable, and secure space environment through space situational awareness information sharing.

The command shares space situational awareness information and services with government and non-U.S. government entities that need to transit through and operate safely within the space domain.

The JFSCC also shares SSA information with partners and space-faring entities to promote the responsible, peaceful, and safe use of space and to strengthen cooperation within the space domain.

"All nations benefit from a safe, stable, sustainable, and secure space domain," said Whiting. "We're sharing information with space-faring nations to preserve the space domain for the future of mankind."

The JFSCC does not predict or track what happens after decay and reentry occurs, such as the exact location of fallen debris on the earth's surface; however, the JFSCC does provide operational information about reentries and potential threats to geographic combatant commands for national defense planning and operations.

Additional information about JFSCC processing and reporting reentries of space objects is available here.

For additional information about China's Tiangong-1, please contact the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

This information is publicly-available on USSTRATCOM's website

Related Links
Air Force Space Command
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Applications now open for the Space Debris Training Course
Paris (ESA) Jan 18, 2018
Space debris is a hazard to our satellites and spacecraft as well as a contributor to near-Earth space pollution. To help raise awareness of this issue, ESA's Education Office is organising the first ESA Academy Space Debris Training Course. The Space Debris Training Course will be hosted at the ESA Academy's Training and Learning Centre in ESEC, Redu, Belgium, from 16 to 20 April 2018. University students will be provided with an introduction to the concept of space debris, why it is necessary to ... read more