Russian Space Boss: Mars Probe Will Burn Up in Atmosphere

There is 'no doubt' that if the probe can't be saved that it will burn up upon re-entry and NOT crash into the planet, killing untold dozens.

The head of Russia's space agency said today that the Phobos-Grunt probe that failed to set course for Mars won't crash into Earth and leak toxic fuel all over the place, as it will just burn up in the atmosphere. The Phobos-Grunt probe blasted off last week to head to the Martian moon of Phobos, where it was to have scooped up ground samples of the curious moon. But when its boosters malfunctioned, the probe got stuck in Earth's orbit, and officials back down on Earth have yet to re-establish communication with the probe. Vladimir Popovkin, the head of the space agency, dismissed concerns that the probe would crash back down into our lovely little planet, saying that the agency had until the first few days of December to get the craft back online. And even if they don't, then Phobos-Grunt will almost certainly burn up in our atmosphere, likely sometime in January. We're sure the atmosphere can handle another couple tons of toxic chemical waste, anyway. Regardless, we might just spend the first few weeks of the new year underground just to be safe.