Unveiling the Past: The Epic Journey of Venus Probe Kosmos 482 and Its Dramatic Earth Return

During the Cold War, the USSR launched 29 spacecraft to Venus, often called Earth’s “twin sister.” Out of these, three flew past Venus and entered orbit around the Sun, while 16 either orbited or landed on the planet, facing harsh conditions often described as “hellish.” Ten spacecraft remained stuck in Earth’s orbit, with all but one re-entering the atmosphere shortly after launch. That one, Kosmos 482, has stayed high above us for over 53 years.

This spacecraft isn’t just space junk; it represents a significant achievement of its time. In fact, Kosmos 482 was designed to endure the extreme conditions of Venus, leading some experts to believe it might survive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, which is expected to happen soon.

Why Venus?

Venus intrigued scientists because its thick clouds could be hiding potential life forms. However, these missions also served as demonstrations of scientific prowess during the Cold War. The launch of Venera 1 in 1961 marked only four years after Sputnik 1, the first satellite. Notably, Venera 7 became the first to successfully soft-land on another planet in 1970.

The Venera missions often launched in pairs. For instance, on March 27, 1972, Venera 8 was sent to Venus, while its twin, Kosmos 482, failed to escape Earth’s orbit. This failure meant Kosmos 482 became a long-term fixture in Earth’s orbit instead.

The Venera spacecraft featured a unique design. With a propulsion system and solar panels, they were equipped to handle harsh conditions, including pressures 90 times greater than Earth’s atmosphere. Instruments aboard measured temperature, pressure, and atmospheric gases, sending valuable data back home.

The Journey of Kosmos 482

While Venera 8 completed its mission successfully, Kosmos 482’s upper rocket stage shut off prematurely. Consequently, the rocket fell back to Earth, while Kosmos 482 itself continued to orbit. Eventually, it began an elliptical path that drew it closer to Earth over time, eventually predicting re-entry.

Re-entry can be perilous. Spacecraft typically come in at speeds of around seven kilometers per second and face intense temperatures upon entering the atmosphere. While titanium has a high melting point, unprotected objects might not survive. Surprisingly, other Soviet landers have, raising questions about whether Kosmos 482 could also endure the heat.

Modern Concerns About Space Junk

Venus, dubbed the “planet of love,” has become a symbol of danger in popular culture, especially during the Cold War. Films of the era often depicted space probes as threats to Earth. Today, another concern has emerged: the growing issue of space debris. The number of rocket launches has surged in recent years, leading to an increase in space junk reentering Earth’s atmosphere. For example, a Starlink satellite reenters almost every day, releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere as it burns up.

As we await Kosmos 482’s return, it reminds us of both our scientific achievements and the evolving challenges we face from space exploration.

Alice Gorman, Associate Professor in Archaeology and Space Studies, Flinders University

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