Historic 1970s Soviet Space Probe: Expected Return to Earth in May 2025!

A Soviet probe launched over 50 years ago is gearing up to return to Earth soon. There’s a real chance it could make it safely through our atmosphere and land on the surface.

This probe is part of the Kosmos 482 mission, which aimed to explore Venus in 1972. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell noted that getting hit by it wouldn’t be a pleasant experience. The mission, however, faced challenges from the start, with its engine shutting down prematurely while still in Earth orbit. Instead of reaching Venus, it was left stranded.

During its long journey, the Kosmos 482 probe has been tracked by U.S. monitoring systems. This effort revealed multiple objects in its orbit. Two objects re-entered the atmosphere in the early 1980s, but the mysterious probe remained.

Interestingly, the original goal of Kosmos 482 was to send a component similar to the Venera-8 descent module to Venus. The Venera-8 probe actually succeeded in making a landing and transmitted data for about 50 minutes. The Soviets had high hopes for exploration during the space race, but not every attempt was a success.

As McDowell explained, during its orbit, three pieces were identified: Kosmos-482, its rocket stage, and debris. While the major pieces fell from orbit in the early ’80s, one piece continued to hang around until more recently.

Recent estimates put the probe’s re-entry path anywhere between latitudes 52 N and 52 S. It’s likely the heat shield that would normally protect it has degraded during its time in orbit. Some experts believe it could burn up upon re-entry, while others suggest it might survive the descent and impact our planet.

The probe weighs around 500 kg (about 1,100 lbs), meaning it could travel fast—around 240 km/h (or 150 mph)—if it hits the ground. While the odds of it striking someone are very low, they are not zero—which keeps this story on the radar.

In terms of public interest, space junk and its potential risks are often discussed online, with many reacting to the curiosity surrounding what happens when old spacecraft return to Earth.

The joy of exploration and the thrill of the unknown continue to capture imaginations, even decades later. As we watch this old Soviet probe return, we connect with a history of human ambition in space, blending science, curiosity, and the sheer unpredictability of our endeavors beyond Earth.

For more on our intriguing history in space exploration, check out NASA’s archive here.

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