Berlin, Germany — A Soviet spacecraft that launched in 1972 has reportedly re-entered Earth’s atmosphere early Saturday morning, concluding a decades-long orbit that traced a path around the planet. The mission of the spacecraft, known as Kosmos 482, was part of the USSR’s ambitious Venera program, which aimed to explore the harsh conditions of Venus.

As it descended, the European Space Agency monitored the spacecraft’s unpredictable trajectory. Radar systems last detected Kosmos 482 over Germany. However, they lost track of the craft shortly before its anticipated crash landing, leading officials to conclude that re-entry likely had already occurred.

Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or damage linked to the descent. Kosmos 482 was initially intended to delve into the mysteries of Venus. While the mission failed due to a launch malfunction that left the spacecraft trapped in Earth’s orbit, it has remained in space for over five decades, slowly spiraling downwards in an irregular elliptical path until it was close enough to breach the atmosphere.

The potential return of space debris is not a rare event. In fact, over 2,400 man-made objects fell from orbit in 2022, marking a record year for such occurrences, according to recent data from the European Space Agency. Most of these objects disintegrate upon re-entry, and those that survive typically land in uninhabited areas, such as oceans.

Kosmos 482’s design was robust enough to endure the extreme conditions of Venus, where temperatures soar to 867 degrees Fahrenheit. This resilience suggested a likelihood that it could withstand a less formidable re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

Experts have consistently stated that the possibility of space debris causing harm to humans is exceedingly low. In a post regarding Kosmos 482, ESA representatives noted that the odds of an individual being injured by falling debris are less than one in 100 billion. By comparison, a person is significantly more likely to be struck by lightning.

On Friday, the U.S. Space Force provided estimates that predicted the spacecraft would re-enter the atmosphere at approximately 1:52 a.m. ET over the Pacific Ocean, west of Guam. As the world keeps an eye on the skies for potential dangers, the fall of Kosmos 482 serves as a reminder of humanity’s lasting footprint in space, even decades after a mission’s intended objectives have failed.