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4mo ago

Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos 482 Set for Uncontrolled Re-entry Today

After 53 years in orbit, the 495 kg capsule is expected to survive re-entry, with impact location and timing still uncertain.

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Der Sternenhimmel über Pilsum in Ostfriesland. Eine 1972 Richtung Venus gestartete sowjetische Sonde wird voraussichtlich an diesem Wochenende auf die Erde abstürzen, ohne dass sie jemals ihr Ziel erreicht hat. (Symbolbild)
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Overview

  • Kosmos 482, launched in 1972 as part of the Soviet Venera program, failed to leave Earth's orbit due to a rocket malfunction.
  • The re-entry is predicted to occur around 07:00 UTC on May 10, 2025, with a wide uncertainty window of ±13 hours.
  • The capsule, designed to withstand Venus's extreme conditions, is expected to survive atmospheric re-entry largely intact.
  • Potential impact zones span between 52°N and 52°S latitude, covering much of the Earth's inhabited regions, though ocean impact remains most likely.
  • Experts emphasize that the risk of injury to individuals is extremely low, with annual global odds of space debris injury below 1 in 1 billion.