After more than half a century in orbit, a relic from the Soviet space program is finally returning to Earth. Kosmos 482, a Venus-bound probe that the Soviet Union launched on March 31, 1972, failed to escape Earth’s gravity due to a malfunction during its launch sequence. As a result, it has been orbiting our planet for over 53 years. Experts now predict the spacecraft will reenter Earth’s atmosphere around May 9–10, 2025.
A Mission Gone Awry
Kosmos 482 was part of the Soviet Union’s ambitious Venera program, designed to explore Venus. While its sister mission, Venera 8, reached Venus successfully, Kosmos 482 failed. A timer malfunction shut down the upper stage engine too early, which prevented the spacecraft from achieving the speed needed to leave Earth’s orbit.
After the failed attempt, the Soviet Union reclassified the probe under its standard label “Kosmos” for spacecraft that remained in Earth orbit.
A Durable Design
Engineers designed the lander module of Kosmos 482 to survive Venus’s extreme conditions—including atmospheric pressures 100 times that of Earth and deceleration forces up to 300 Gs. Because of this, some scientists believe parts of the spacecraft could survive the fiery reentry and reach the Earth’s surface. Dutch satellite tracker Marco Langbroek noted that although the chance is small, the risk to populated areas cannot be ruled out.
Tracking the Descent
Although the spacecraft’s exact reentry time and location remain uncertain, satellite trackers believe the descent is imminent. Because of its orbital inclination, Kosmos 482 could reenter anywhere between 52°N and 52°S latitude.
Kosmos 482’s return highlights the long-lasting consequences of early space exploration. It also shows why tracking and managing space debris remains a vital responsibility for modern space agencies.
