Lost Soviet-era Cosmos-482 returns to Earth after 53 years in space

Cosmos 482 (Image: ESA)

It’s not every day that a space relic comes home. But this week, a forgotten Soviet spacecraft finally ended its long wait. After more than five decades in orbit, Kosmos 482 has returned to Earth.

Fiery Return Over the Indian Ocean

Launched in March 1972, Kosmos 482 was bound for Venus. The mission was part of the Soviet Union’s Venera program. But a launch malfunction left the 500-kilogram probe stuck in Earth orbit. For 53 years, the spacecraft circled the planet, losing height slowly due to atmospheric drag.

On Saturday, the probe re-entered Earth’s atmosphere. It fell into the Indian Ocean, around 560 kilometers west of India’s Middle Andaman Island. Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, confirmed the descent. The European Space Agency and the EU’s tracking network also monitored the re-entry closely.

The spacecraft was built to endure Venus' harsh surface. It had a strong titanium shell, making it likely that parts survived re-entry. Thankfully, no debris has been found on land, and no injuries have been reported.

Monitoring Space Junk Risks

The ESA noted the moment of re-entry after Kosmos 482 missed a scheduled radar pass over Germany. This absence confirmed it had already entered the atmosphere.

Experts reassured the public about safety risks. The Aerospace Corporation said chances of injury were less than one in a million. That estimate sits well below international safety limits.

Any surviving parts of the probe still belong to Russia. This is in line with international space law, even after re-entry.

Kosmos 482’s return serves as a quiet reminder. The early days of space exploration still echo in orbit. With more missions flying, tracking aging space debris becomes increasingly vital.