Moscow, Russia — The Kosmos 482 lander, launched by the Soviet Union in 1972 with the ambition of landing on Venus, is anticipated to return to Earth after more than 50 years in orbit. The spacecraft encountered an anomaly shortly after liftoff, preventing it from reaching its intended destination and leaving it stranded in an elliptical orbit around our planet.
As it stands, the reentry is expected to occur around 1:54 a.m. ET (0554 GMT) today, with a potential variation of nine hours. Observers note that its trajectory could see the probe descend anywhere between 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south latitudes, an expansive area that encompasses much of the Earth’s surface.
Despite concerns about falling debris, experts suggest the risk associated with Kosmos 482 is considerably lower than that of previous space junk incidents. Marco Langbroek, a satellite tracker from the Netherlands, highlighted that the probe is likely to reenter as a single object rather than break apart, which would minimize potential hazards. He contrasted this with scenarios of larger fragments, such as those from the Falcon 9 rocket, which can scatter debris over wide areas.
According to scientists at the Aerospace Corporation, the chances of an individual being harmed by Kosmos 482 are extremely slim. In fact, the organization provided a striking comparison: the likelihood of being hit by falling debris is far less than the chance of being struck by lightning. With roughly 71% of Earth covered in water and many land areas being uninhabited, the prospects of a dangerous landing are minimal.
The Kosmos 482 spacecraft measures approximately 3.3 feet in diameter and is encased in a titanium shell designed to endure the intense heat of atmospheric reentry. Weighing about 1,190 pounds, this long-abandoned probe has been a subject of tracking and study for years. Recent imagery captured by astrophotographer Ralf Vandebergh raised speculation about the spacecraft’s condition, suggesting that its parachute may be deployed as it continues its journey around Earth.
Experts have varied opinions on the implications of these images. Some have raised doubts, asserting that visual effects in Vandebergh’s photos may result from atmospheric distortion rather than revealing the probe’s actual state. Regardless, Kosmos 482 is part of the historic Venera program, which achieved notable milestones in space exploration, such as landing the first probe on Venus in 1970 and sending back the first color images of its surface in 1982.
As the world watches closely, keen interest surrounds the fate of this aging spacecraft. Individuals wanting to keep track of Kosmos 482’s reentry can find real-time updates through various online platforms devoted to space exploration. The craft’s journey reflects a bygone era of space rivalry and achievement, as it makes its final descent after decades of silence in Earth’s orbit.
