A pioneering European satellite is due to fall to Earth in the coming days.

ERS-2 was a cutting-edge observation platform when it launched in 1995, forging technologies that are now used routinely to monitor the planet.

It's been gradually descending since ending operations in 2011 and will take an uncontrolled, fiery plunge into the atmosphere.

The European Space Agency (Esa) says most of the two-tonne satellite will burn up on the way down.

It's possible some more robust parts may withstand the intense heating generated during the high-speed dive, but the chances of these fragments hitting populated areas and causing damage are slim.