Out-of-control spacecraft Kosmos 482 could impact Earth.
Out-of-control spacecraft Kosmos 482 could DID impact Earth this week. Kosmos 482, which has been orbiting the Earth for 53 years post launch in 1972 will tumble back to our planet this week. Launched by the former Soviet Union and originally intended as a mission to Venus, Kosmos 482 failed to reach her proper orbit. Now, after more than 50 years in space, the aging spacecraft is being dragged down by Earth's gravity. According to space debris trackers, Kosmos 482 is expected to re-enter the atmosphere sometime this week. Yet not all of it will burn up completely upon re-entry, given it was designed to survive extreme Venusian heat and pressure, making it possible that parts of it could impact like a meteor. Its descent module is old; Yet it did and does still have a post-re-entry parachute deployment system. But will it still work after 53 years? © Kristopher Richey 2025
