despite its decent through our atmosphere

[sunsunmoon]

But even if debris falls upon the United States, scientists predict it will only cover a 500-mile smear upon the Earth’s surface. Nevertheless, NASA has predicted that 1,200 pounds of metal from the defunct satellite will still make it to Earth, despite its decent through our atmosphere.

(From Space junk may collide with the United States - Mission Times Courier)

...its decent what? Is there anything missing after the "decent"?

[5jj]

It should be 'descent'. It's a typo.