A Chinese commercial imaging satellite, identified as GaoJing 1-02 (SuperView-1) and operated by Beijing-based SpaceView, reentered Earth's atmosphere over the southeastern United States at 10:08 p.m. CST late Saturday night, creating a spectacular display visible across multiple states. The event was initially mistaken for a meteor by many observers. The satellite, which had been dead since January 2023, underwent an uncontrolled reentry. The fiery spectacle was seen in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee, with residents sharing videos and photos on social media. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell confirmed the identity of the space debris and noted that the reentry was anticipated, though the exact location was uncertain due to the satellite's high speed.
