53 Years in Orbit – According to NASA, It’s Set to Crash to Earth in May

A dramatic scenario is unfolding: A Soviet space probe from 1972, which never left Earth’s orbit, is now on its way back toward the planet’s surface.

Soviet Space Probe Threatens Earth Impact

• In March 1972, the Soviet Union launched the space probe Kosmos 482.
• It was intended to travel to Venus but never made it.
• According to DR.dk, a launch failure left the probe stranded in Earth orbit.
• Now, 53 years later, it may finally be descending.

An Ambitious Project Under the Venera Program

• Kosmos 482 was part of the Soviet Venera program.
• The missions aimed to explore the harsh and mysterious planet Venus.
• It was a sister model to Venera 8, which successfully landed the same year.
• Kosmos 482, however, never got the chance.

Trapped in Orbit for Over Five Decades

• Since 1972, Kosmos 482 has circled the Earth.
• Over time, gravity has gradually pulled it closer.
• Its orbit is now so low that it’s expected to enter the atmosphere soon.
• The probe is no longer under human control.

NASA Warns of a Possible May Reentry

• NASA reports the probe may crash between May 7 and May 13.
• The exact impact location remains unknown.
• Many factors—such as atmospheric density—will determine where it lands.
• Scientists and space agencies are monitoring the situation closely.

Tough Design Could Survive Reentry

• Kosmos 482 was built to endure Venus’ extreme environment.
• It was engineered to withstand temperatures near 500°C and pressures 100 times that of Earth.
• That increases the chance that parts of the probe may survive reentry.
• This raises the likelihood of an Earth impact.

Expert: No Need to Panic

• Marco Langbroek from Delft University reassures the public.
• He states the probe is small and unlikely to pose a real threat.
• It would be more like a meteor strike, which occurs annually.
• Still, the risk cannot be completely ruled out.

Most Likely Outcome: Ocean Impact

• Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans.
• Therefore, the most likely outcome is that it lands in the sea.
• However, a land impact cannot be excluded due to the unknown trajectory.
• Authorities are not currently on high alert.

Venus – The Mission’s Lost Destination

• Venus is Earth’s hot and toxic neighbor.
• Its surface is hidden by thick clouds and intense heat.
• Only 26 of 44 missions to Venus have succeeded.
• Kosmos 482 never made it—but it never left, either.

A Growing Problem: Space Debris

• Kosmos 482 is just one of thousands of objects orbiting Earth.
• Satellites, rocket parts, and discarded materials are cluttering space.
• Reentries like this may become more frequent in the future.
• DR.dk notes it calls for global regulation and cleanup efforts.

Yesterday’s Technology – Today’s Threat

• Kosmos 482 is a relic of the space race era.
• A historical mission that never achieved its goal.
• Yet today, it could still have consequences for Earth.
• The mistakes of the past continue to orbit above us.