Soviet-Era Spacecraft Kosmos 482 Set for Uncontrolled Reentry After 53 Years in Orbit
May 10, 2025
A Soviet spacecraft launched in 1972, Kosmos 482, is expected to make an uncontrolled reentry into Earth’s atmosphere today, after spending over five decades in orbit. Originally intended as a Venus lander under the USSR’s Venera program, the mission failed to escape Earth’s gravity due to a rocket malfunction, leaving the 495 kg descent module stranded in low Earth orbit.(WSJ, Wikipedia)
The descent module, designed to endure Venus’s harsh conditions, is equipped with a robust heat shield capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and pressures. This durability raises the possibility that parts of the spacecraft could survive reentry and reach Earth’s surface. However, the exact time and location of reentry remain uncertain, with predictions spanning a broad area between 52° North and 52° South latitude, encompassing much of the inhabited world and oceans. (AP News, Diario AS, Rice News)
Tracking agencies, including the European Space Agency and the U.S. Space Force, have provided varying estimates for the reentry window, with times ranging from early morning to mid-morning UTC on May 10. The unpredictability is attributed to factors such as solar activity and the spacecraft’s deteriorated state. (EarthSky, AP News)
While the risk to human life is considered low, the event underscores growing concerns about space debris and the challenges of tracking aging satellites. In 2024 alone, over 1,200 objects re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, some reaching populated areas. (The Times, WSJ)
Under international space law, any recovered fragments of Kosmos 482 would legally belong to Russia, the launching nation. Experts and historians are keen to study any surviving components to gain insights into early space exploration technologies.(WSJ)
For those interested in monitoring the reentry, live tracking is available through platforms like Satflare and N2YO, offering real-time updates on the spacecraft’s trajectory. (N2YO)
As Kosmos 482 concludes its unintended 53-year journey around Earth, its descent serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy and challenges of space exploration.(WSJ)