Potential Encounter with a Soviet Spacecraft Debris Imminent

A massive segment of the Soviet space probe, Kosmos 482, will soon make an uncontrolled descent toward Earth.

Launched by the Soviet Union in 1972, the Kosmos 482 was supposed to gather information from Venus's surface. However, due to an issue with the upper-stage rocket booster, it remained stuck in orbit.

Unexpected Return

Post-launch, Kosmos 482 disintegrated. Some fragments fell back into Earth's atmosphere during the 1980s. What remains, weighing 1,091 pounds (495 kilograms) and with a three-foot lander, has been gradually descending and is predicted to finally descend around May 10th.

Uncertain Reentry

The exact location of its fall remains unknown, and it’s uncertain whether it will burn upon reentry. As per scientist Marco Langbroek’s blog, this lander was built to endure Venus's hostile atmosphere, which averages 867 degrees Fahrenheit (464 degrees Celsius). Hence, it might withstand Earth’s reentry. Concerns are prevalent about the lander’s outdated parachute system, which likely won't function as intended.

Minimal Risk

The probability of being struck by the Kosmos 482 is extremely low. As Langbroek remarked to The Guardian, the hazard is comparable to that posed by meteorites, which descend yearly. Statistically, you face a greater likelihood of being struck by lightning.