Earth from the International Space Station. Photo: NASA Photo
Scientists are warning of an uncontrolled return to Earth of the Soviet spacecraft Cosmos 482, launched in 1972 to explore Venus. Due to a rocket crash, it never went beyond Earth’s orbit, and its capsule weighing about 500 kg has been orbiting the planet for more than half a century. This was reported by The Guardian.
Space debris tracking experts estimate that the spacecraft could re-enter the atmosphere around 10 May. The likely impact speed is over 240 km/h, and although most of the debris will burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere, there is a real risk that the module will remain intact and reach the surface.
According to astronomer Marco Langbroek of the Delft University of Technology, the capsule was designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the Venusian atmosphere, so its construction may be too strong for complete combustion.
However, experts emphasise that the likelihood of the object falling into the ocean is high, as 70% of the Earth’s surface is water. Although the risk to people is minimal, it cannot be completely ruled out.
Similar incidents have already occurred: in 2018, the Chinese Tiangong-1 station burned down over the Pacific Ocean, and in 2022, a launch vehicle element from China fell uncontrollably.
