Defunct Russian Space Probe From The 1970s To Crash Into The Earth

Kosmos-482, a Soviet-era spacecraft launched in 1972, is expected to make an uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere next week. The probe, originally intended to land on Venus, has been orbiting Earth for over 50 years due to a rocket malfunction that stranded it in orbit.

The spacecraft, weighing approximately 1,100 pounds, is predicted to reenter around May 10. The reentry is expected to be uncontrolled, but experts believe the risk to people on the ground is minimal.

Kosmos-482 was part of a series of Soviet missions to Venus, but unlike its successful counterpart, Venera 8, it never left Earth's orbit. The spacecraft's lander, designed to withstand Venus's harsh atmosphere, might survive reentry intact. However, The Guardian reports that the heat shield and parachute system may have degraded over time, potentially causing the probe to burn up upon reentry.

The reentry zone spans from 51.7 degrees north to 51.7 degrees south latitude, covering a vast area from London to Cape Horn. With most of Earth's surface being water, experts believe it is likely that the probe will fall into an ocean. As the reentry date approaches, more precise predictions will become available.