Watch out: Pieces of NASA satellite to crash on Earth this Friday

A NASA satellite is expected to return to the earth’s atmosphere on Friday, breaking into pieces during re-entry, but not burning up completely.

The US space agency expects up to “26 potentially hazardous objects” to survive the breakage of its defunct Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), and fall at various places on the earth.

NASA says it is too early to say what geographic area may be affected, but added “it is watching the satellite closely and will keep you informed.”

The total mass of these objects is estimated to be 532 kg, while the estimated human casualty risk is assessed at 1 in 3200.

UARS will come back to earth “almost six years after the end of a productive scientific life.”

“The risk to public safety or property is extremely small, and safety is NASA's top priority,” NASA said in one of the updates on UARS.

It added that since the beginning of the Space Age in the late-1950s, there have been no confirmed reports of an injury resulting from re-entering space objects.

“Nor is there a record of significant property damage resulting from a satellite re-entry,” said the update.

Further, it advises people against touching something they think may be a piece of UARS, and to contact a local law enforcement official for assistance.