NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion capsule are facing budget uncertainties, as a White House proposal suggests a potential $6 billion reduction, equating to about 25% of NASA’s budget. In addition to these financial concerns, the agency is preparing for the return of Cosmos 482, a Soviet-era spacecraft that failed its 1972 mission to Venus. Expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere between May 7 and May 13, with a likely descent on May 10, Cosmos 482 was designed to withstand high atmospheric pressures but now faces the risk of uncontrolled reentry.
Astronomer Jonathan McDowell indicated that while there’s a chance parts of the probe may survive reentry, there is also a risk of property damage and a slight chance of injury to individuals on the ground—a risk he quantifies as “one in thousands.” Launched in the early 1970s, Cosmos 482 was intended to reach Venus, following shortly after the successful Venera 8 probe. NASA’s findings, supported by historical documents, suggest that Cosmos was part of a series of Soviet missions that initially deployed spacecraft into low Earth orbit before burning engines to propel them towards their intended targets.
Cosmos 482 eventually separated into four pieces, with two decaying in low Earth orbit shortly after launch, while the remaining fragments stayed in higher orbits. A malfunction during the engine burn likely prevented the spacecraft from achieving the necessary velocity to escape Earth’s orbit as intended. As NASA navigates this significant budget cut, the outcome of Cosmos 482’s return adds another layer of complexity to its ongoing projects.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
