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19h ago

Soviet-Era Kosmos-482 Spacecraft Nears Uncontrolled Reentry to Earth

Predicted to reenter Earth's atmosphere around May 10, the half-ton descent capsule may survive intact, with scientists refining impact forecasts and monitoring low safety risks.

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Kosmos 482 is expected to pass into the Earth’s atmosphere at about 4am on Sunday
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Overview

  • Kosmos-482, a failed 1972 Soviet Venus mission, is set for uncontrolled reentry after decades in elliptical Earth orbit.
  • The titanium-shielded descent capsule is likely to survive atmospheric reentry intact, posing a minimal risk of ground impact comparable to a meteorite fall.
  • Current forecasts predict reentry on May 10 at 3:30 AM EDT ±14 hours, with potential impact anywhere between 52°N and 52°S latitudes.
  • Tracking the spacecraft's decay has provided valuable data for atmospheric drag, space weather modeling, and collision-avoidance systems.
  • Under international law, any recovered debris remains the property of Russia, reviving conversations about Cold War-era space debris and its environmental legacy.