After 53 years in space, Soviet Venus Probe set to crash back to Earth this week

Cosmos 482 (Image: ESA)

The skies could soon witness a rare return. A failed Soviet spacecraft, circling Earth for decades, is finally heading back. It’s been a silent passenger in orbit since 1972.

Kosmos 482 Could Re-Reenter Around 10 May

The spacecraft, named Kosmos 482, weighs nearly 453 kilograms. Experts believe itht re-enter Earth’s atmosphere by 10 May. The prediction came from a report by CNN.

Kosmos 482 was launched by the Soviet Union in 1972. Its mission was to travel to Venus. But a timing malfunction cut its engine burn short. That error kept it trapped in Earth’s orbit for more than 50 years.

Now, the spacecraft is set to fall from orbit. But scientists remain unsure which part will make it down. Some think it could be the Venus probe, also called the entry capsule.

Designed to Survive Harsh Landings

As space debris races toward Earth, most of it burns up. The friction and pressure from the dense atmosphere destroy most objects. But Kosmos 482 might behave differently.

The spacecraft has a thick heat shield built for Venus landings. That means parts of it may survive reentry and hit the ground.

Astrophysicist Dr Jonathan McDowell shared his view online. He said the probe might withstand the heat and pressure. The risk to people is very low, but it shouldn’t be ignored.

Landing Zone Still Uncertain

Scientists say the spacecraft might land anywhere between 52 degrees north and south of the equator. That zone includes many countries, though much of it is ocean.

They hope it will splash down safely in water. But predictions remain uncertain. If it does fall on land, people are advised not to approach the debris. Old fuel or materials could be harmful or cause damage.

For now, eyes are on the sky as Kosmos 482 nears its descent. A relic from the Cold War era might soon return home — one final mission, decades after it was lost.