Soviet-Era Spacecraft Set for Uncontrolled Reentry
By Marcia Dunn, CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, intended for a 1970s Venus mission, is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere uncontrolled around May 10. Weighing approximately half a ton, the spacecraft’s exact landing point remains uncertain, according to space debris experts.
Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek estimates the spacecraft could descend at speeds of 150 mph, cautioning that while the situation poses some risk, it is not cause for alarm. "The risk is similar to a random meteorite fall, which occurs frequently. Your odds of being struck by lightning are higher," Langbroek stated.
Originally launched in 1972, Kosmos 482 malfunctioned and never left Earth orbit, with most of it having fallen back within a decade. However, its spherical capsule, approximately three feet in diameter, has been in a declining orbit for 53 years. While it might survive reentry—designed for the harsh conditions of Venus—its parachute system is likely ineffective.
The spacecraft could potentially fall anywhere within 51.7 degrees north and south latitude, with a high likelihood of landing in an ocean, given that over 70% of the planet’s surface is water.
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