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4h ago

Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos 482 Expected to Reenter Earth's Atmosphere by May 10

The 472 kg titanium-reinforced capsule, stranded in orbit since 1972, may partially survive reentry, with its impact zone spanning latitudes 52° N to 52° S.

Artist's concept of a satellite entering the Earth's atmosphere
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This photo provided by researcher Jane Greaves shows the planet Venus, seen from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Akatsuki probe in May 2016.
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Overview

  • Kosmos 482, a Soviet Venus lander launched in 1972, failed to leave Earth's orbit and is now predicted to reenter the atmosphere around May 10, 2025, ± 2.8 days.
  • The spacecraft's titanium-protected capsule, originally designed to endure Venus's extreme conditions, is likely to withstand reentry and could partially survive impact.
  • Reentry is expected to occur within a latitude band of 52° N to 52° S, covering a wide area including parts of the UK, Germany, Canada, Argentina, and major oceans.
  • Astrophotographer Ralf Vanderburgh's recent images suggest the possible presence of a trailing parachute, adding intrigue to the probe's Cold War-era legacy.
  • Experts note minimal risk to populated areas, as most debris is likely to burn up in the atmosphere or land in uninhabited regions.