Asger Risom
Piece of failed 1972 Venus mission may survive atmospheric reentry, says space expert
A fragment of the Soviet space probe Kosmos 482, launched over 50 years ago, is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere in the coming days. As reported by tech.wp.pl, this remnant—a lander weighing nearly 500 kilograms—was part of a failed mission to Venus and has been orbiting Earth since 1972.
Originally intended to collect data from Venus’s surface, Kosmos 482 failed to escape low Earth orbit due to a malfunction in its launch vehicle’s upper stage. The spacecraft broke into multiple components, some of which reentered Earth’s atmosphere in the 1980s. However, one of the most robust pieces—a dense, heat-shielded lander—remains in orbit and is slowly descending.
Engineered to Survive Venus, Built to Resist Earth’s Heat
The lander was built to withstand the extreme conditions of Venus, where surface temperatures average around 464°C. This durability means it may also survive the fiery plunge through Earth’s atmosphere. According to Dutch astronomer Marco Langbroek, who was cited in the article, the likelihood of full atmospheric disintegration is uncertain.
The spacecraft’s original parachute systems are likely non-functional after decades in space, meaning any reentry will be uncontrolled. While the risk to human life remains minimal, it is not entirely negligible, Langbroek notes.
Impact Expected Around May 10
The projected reentry speed is estimated at 65–70 meters per second (around 242 km/h). Predictions indicate that the descent could occur around May 10, although the exact time and impact location remain unknown.
Despite the low probability of harm, the event is a reminder of the long-lasting legacy of Cold War-era space missions and the debris they have left behind.