The European Space Agency (ESA) revealed on Monday its ESA’s wind-measuring Aeolus satellite has fallen in flames ahead of its fiery descent into the atmosphere at a speed of 16,700 miles per hour.

During Aeolus’s first-of-its-kind assisted reentry in July, not only was the already low risk from falling debris reduced by a factor of 150, but the time during which Aeolus was left uncontrolled in orbit was shortened by a few weeks, limiting the risk of collision with other satellites in this vital space highway, according to ESA statement.

The five-year mission of the Aeolus satellite contributed to optimizing weather forecasts and climate models, ESA added.

Source: Qatar News Agency