Overview

• Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era spacecraft launched in 1972 for a Venus mission, failed to leave Earth orbit due to a rocket malfunction and has been decaying in orbit for over five decades.
• Reentry is expected between May 7 and 13, with the most likely dates being May 9 or 10, though the exact location of impact remains uncertain within a wide range of latitudes from 52° north to 52° south.
• Designed to endure Venus's harsh atmosphere, the spacecraft may survive reentry intact, potentially impacting at speeds around 150 mph, as its parachute system is unlikely to function after 53 years.
• While the risk of harm is extremely low, with a one-in-10,000 chance of hitting a person, the event highlights concerns over space debris and the challenges of predicting reentry trajectories.
• Under international space law, Russia would bear liability for any damage caused by the spacecraft, though most experts believe it will likely land in an ocean or uninhabited area.