What's Up with that Old Soviet Venus Probe?
Soviet spacecraft set for impending Saturday collision
Get ready for a cosmic reminder of history! A relic from the past is expected to make a dramatic comeback this weekend. We're talking about a Soviet probe that the space agency, ESA, predicts will crash into Earth, having missed its Venus mission all those years ago.
The Soviet probe, known as Kosmos-482, was hurled towards Venus in 1972, but due to a technical hiccup, it never left Earth's orbit. Fast forward to 2025, and this space oddity is slated to re-enter our atmosphere, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).
The exact date and location of the impact are a bit tricky to pin down. The ESA shared that we can anticipate Kosmos-482 to crash somewhere on Saturday, but the specific area will only be more accurately predicted as we draw nearer to the event.
So, what's the risk level of this space re-entry? The ESA confirms that the chances of anyone getting hurt are almost nil. There's a good chance that the durable spacecraft, designed to withstand Venus' harsh atmosphere, will survive re-entry and reach Earth intact rather than burning up.
The Soviet Union once had its sights set on the enigmatic planet Venus, launching several probes as part of the Venera program between 1961 and 1983. Kosmos 482 was one such probe, blasted off on March 31, 1972, with the aim of controlled landing on Venus. A launch vehicle malfunction prevented this, and the entry capsule remained in Earth orbit.
Intriguingly, the capsule has been orbiting Earth for more than five decades now. According to NASA, the probe is battery-powered and equipped with instruments to gauge temperature, pressure, density, and other parameters. It was originally fitted with a parachute to slow its landing on Venus. However, observations suggest that the parachute may have already been deployed.
As for where this curious object might land, there's a chance that it could touch down in parts of the US (like Maine and New Hampshire) and Australia (particularly Western Australia). Although experts assure us that the probe is unlikely to cause any harm or affect heavily populated areas. So sit back, relax, and don't worry - it's just a space sandwich coming back to Earth!
- Soviet Union
- Space Exploration
- Venus
- History
- Enrichment Data: The Soviet Venus probe Kosmos-482, launched on March 31, 1972, failed to leave Earth orbit due to a technical malfunction and has been orbiting Earth ever since[1][2]. After more than 53 years in orbit, it is now expected to reenter and crash back to Earth sometime between May 9 and May 12, 2025[1][2][3][4].
The exact timing and location of the crash are unpredictable due to the nature of space weather and the object's orbit[2][4]. Some estimates predict reentry as early as the evening of May 9, while others suggest as late as May 12[3].
Regarding the crash location, there is a possibility that debris could fall over regions including parts of the United States and Australia. For example, Maine and New Hampshire in the US are mentioned as potential reentry areas[2], and there is a non-zero chance of debris landing in Western Australia on or around May 10 (Saturday)[4]. However, experts say the probe is unlikely to cause harm or land in heavily populated areas[2].
The spacecraft is about 3 feet wide and weighs roughly 1,000 pounds (~450 kg)[1][2]. Because it was designed to operate on the harsh surface of Venus, it is expected to survive reentry in at least one big piece rather than burning up completely[4].
Summary: - Kosmos-482 launch date: March 31, 1972 - Mission: Venus probe, failed to leave Earth orbit - Expected Earth reentry: between May 9 and May 12, 2025 - Possible crash locations: parts of the US (Maine, New Hampshire) and Australia (Western Australia) - Object size/weight: about 3 feet wide, ~1,000 pounds - Likely to survive reentry mostly intact, but risk of impact in populated areas is low[1][2][3][4].
- The Soviet Union had a history of space exploration, with the launch of the Venus probe Kosmos-482 being one of many attempts to explore Venus as part of their Venera program.
- Although Kosmos-482 was launched towards Venus in 1972, a technical malfunction kept it in Earth's orbit for over five decades, making it a relic of space-and-astronomy history.
- Employment within the space-and-astronomy sector played a role in the prolonged orbit of Kosmos-482, as it was equipped with instruments for measuring temperature, pressure, and other parameters, like those present in an employment policy.
- Technology has the potential to significantly impact society, as demonstrated by the pending reentry of Kosmos-482 into Earth's atmosphere using WhatsApp and science for updates on the impending event.
