A Soviet spacecraft that has been orbiting Earth for over 50 years is expected to reenter the planet’s atmosphere next month. The spacecraft could potentially crash-land on Earth’s surface. The Kosmos 482 was launched on March 31, 1972.
It was initially aimed for Venus but ended up trapped in Earth’s orbit. This was due to a timer malfunction that prevented a crucial engine burn. The 3.2-foot-wide, 1,091-pound landing module successfully established a temporary orbit around Earth.
However, it has remained there ever since. After 53 years, it is projected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere sometime between May 8 and 11.
Kosmos 482’s final descent imminent
While it is generally unlikely that Kosmos 482 will reenter Earth’s atmosphere over a populated area or even over land, the spacecraft is designed to withstand extreme conditions. It can handle rapid acceleration, extreme heat, and high pressure. As a result, much of it could survive reentry and reach the planet’s surface, even if not intact.
The spacecraft may be visible around dawn and dusk in some areas as it orbits Earth. It would appear like a dim, moving satellite. Should the Kosmos 482 reenter the atmosphere above a populated area, it would be visible as a bright, slow-moving meteor.
EarthSky.org will provide updates on Kosmos 482’s reentry in the coming days. They will give a more precise reentry date as it approaches.
Image Credits: Photo by SpaceX on Unsplash
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