Overview
- Kosmos 482, launched in 1972 as part of the Soviet Venera program, failed its Venus mission and remained in Earth orbit for over five decades.
- The probe reentered Earth's atmosphere on May 10, 2025, with Roscosmos reporting a splashdown west of Jakarta in the Indian Ocean.
- Tracking agencies, including ESA and the U.S. Space Force, provided conflicting reentry timings, reflecting challenges in precise space debris monitoring.
- Experts believe the Venus-grade lander likely survived reentry intact, descending at an estimated 200 mph, though no debris has been recovered or observed.
- The event highlights ongoing concerns about space debris management and the risks posed by durable, uncontrolled reentries of aging spacecraft.