Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos 482 to Reenter Earth After 53 Years

May 1,长沙快速卖U 2025  13:06

Launched in 1972, the Soviet Venus probe Kosmos 482, part of the Venera program, failed to reach Venus due to a rocket malfunction and has been stranded in Earth’s orbit ever since. Now, after 53 years, the spacecraft is expected to make an uncontrolled reentry between May 8-10, 2025, according to Newsweek. Built to endure Venus’ harsh conditions, the 495 kg lander may survive reentry and hit Earth’s surface at speeds up to 150 mph, though experts say the risk to populated areas is low.

Mission Overview and Failure

Kosmos 482 launched on March 31, 1972, shortly after its sister probe Venera 8, aiming to explore Venus. A malfunction in the Soyuz booster’s upper stage, caused by a timer error, halted the engine burn after 125 seconds instead of the needed 243, trapping the spacecraft in a 210 × 9,800 km elliptical Earth orbit. Following Soviet tradition for failed missions, it was renamed "Kosmos." Two of its four fragments decayed quickly, landing near Ashburton, New Zealand in 1972, while the Venus lander and another piece remained in orbit.

Lander’s Robust Design

The Kosmos 482 lander, a 1-meter spherical pressure vessel, was engineered for Venus’ extreme environment, capable of withstanding 300 G’s and 100 atmospheres of pressure. Equipped with sensors, a parachute, and a cooling system, it was built to survive Venus’ 460°C surface temperatures. This durability increases its chances of surviving Earth’s atmospheric reentry intact, unlike typical space debris.

Orbital Decay and Reentry

Over 53 years, the lander’s orbit decayed from 9,800 km at its highest point to 735 km due to atmospheric drag. Satellite analyst Marco Langbroek notes its accelerating descent, predicting an impact speed of 150-165 mph. The reentry path may span 52° North to 52° South, potentially affecting regions like Europe, Asia, and parts of North America, though the exact impact zone remains uncertain until closer to the event.