
The Ancient Soviet Probe Set to Make a Fiery Return This Weekend!
2025-05-05
Author: Noah
After orbiting the Earth for an astonishing half-century, the Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 is poised to make its dramatic reentry into the planet's atmosphere this weekend. This relic from 1972, once aimed at Venus, is now on a thrilling final descent.
Dubbed the "final death plunge," astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics notes that it's more likely the probe will crash into water rather than land on solid ground. But don't let that fool you—there's still a small yet concerning chance it could cause property damage or even harm someone.
As Kosmos 482 tumbles back to Earth, some experts believe that the probe, which weighs around 1,000 pounds and measures about a meter wide, could burn up upon reentry. However, McDowell is skeptical: "It was engineered to withstand the intense atmosphere of Venus, so I expect it to reenter largely intact," he stated.
Originally launched with a plethora of astronomical instruments, including temperature and pressure sensors, radio transmitters, and a gamma-ray spectrometer, Kosmos 482 faced an unfortunate fate when an engine malfunction left it stranded in low Earth orbit. While parts of it may have fallen over New Zealand shortly after its launch, the main lander has remained in space.
Interestingly, the lander was designed to cope with Venus's searing heat and comes equipped with a parachute. However, given its age, it's uncertain if this crucial device will function as intended.
Reentry is rumored to be a spectacle watched by many across a vast area stretching from Canada and Russia down to the southern reaches of South America. Should the spacecraft survive, it could hit the ground at a staggering speed of about 150 miles per hour.