Russia's $163 million Phobos-Grunt Mars probe, stranded in low-Earth orbit after a malfunction following launch Nov. 8, is expected to fall back into Earth's atmosphere next month, Russian officials confirmed Friday. Artist's concept of Phobos-Grunt approaching Mars. Credit: Roscosmos The massive spacecraft, still loaded with 11 tons of rocket fuel, will burn up during entry, but 20 to 30 pieces of debris, totaling several hundred pounds, are expected to survive atmospheric heating, hitting the ground somewhere between 51.5 degrees to either side of the equator. The spacecraft is stranded in an 89.2-minute orbit with a low point, or perigee, of 125 miles and a high point, or apogee, of 171...
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