NASA expects the 38-year-old satellite to fall to Earth on Sunday or Monday, the Associated Press reported.

The risk of damage from falling debris is "very low".

According to NASA, that's 1 in 9,400. 

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Most of the 2.4-tonne science satellite will burn up on re-entry.

However, some parts of it will remain intact.

The satellite is expected to fall overnight on Sunday, the US Department of Defense said.

According to the "Airspace" corporation, however, this will happen on Monday morning, as it will pass over Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the westernmost parts of North and South America. 

The ERBS satellite has been studying Earth's radiation balance, how the planet absorbs and emits energy from the Sun.

It was launched in 1984 by the space shuttle Challenger. 

This satellite is scheduled to operate for two years, but until 2005 it continues to make measurements of ozone and other atmospheric parameters.