Associated PressRendering of the German satellite ROSAT

Just last month, an old NASA satellite plummeted to Earth and disintegrated. Now space buffs are keeping an eye on the retired German scientific satellite ROSAT, which is expected to crash and burn sometime this weekend.

The odds of a fragment hitting your little patch of earth are extremely low. But not to worry: if you are unlucky enough to have some space shrapnel fall on your house or car, standard insurance policies will most likely cover the damage, says the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group.

“Damages caused by falling objects,” including falling satellites, are generally covered, the institute says.

The Web site space.com has an animated simulation of the satellite’s demise — or “de-orbit,” in space lingo — here.

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