Impending Crash Alert: Failed Soviet Spacecraft Set to Fall to Earth This Week—Find Out Where It Might Land (Map Inside!)

A Soviet spacecraft, lost in Earth’s orbit for over 50 years, is about to make its return. The Kosmos 482 Descent Craft is expected to crash back to Earth between May 8 and May 12. Traveling at about 150 mph (242 km/h), it will streak through the atmosphere like a meteor. This 3-foot-wide (1 meter) and 1,091-pound (495-kilogram) craft was designed to endure the harsh conditions of Venus but will likely remain intact as it falls.

But where will it land—and will it hit a populated area? Unfortunately, no one can say for sure. The potential landing zone covers a vast region, from 52 degrees north to 52 degrees south latitude. This means it could fall anywhere across the continental United States, parts of South America, Africa, Australia, and much of Europe and Asia.

Despite this uncertainty, you shouldn’t worry. The chances of Kosmos 482 hitting a populated area are incredibly low. About 71% of Earth is water, making it far more likely to land in the ocean, as most space debris does.

Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at Harvard, says the risk of falling space debris hitting you is about "one in several thousand." Experts expect to narrow down its landing zone only when it begins its descent, which they predict will start around May 10.

The History of Kosmos 482

Kosmos 482 was launched by the U.S.S.R. in 1972 as part of the Venera program, aimed at exploring Venus. While Venera 7 and 8 successfully landed on Venus in the early ’70s, Kosmos 482 was doomed from the start. A malfunction with its Soyuz rocket left it trapped in an elliptical orbit around Earth.

After a short time, the spacecraft disintegrated into several pieces. The main body reentered Earth’s atmosphere in May 1981, yet the Descent Craft stayed in its orbit until now.

The Current Landscape of Space Debris

Kosmos 482 is not an isolated case. Currently, there are over 1.2 million pieces of space debris larger than 0.4 inches (1 centimeter). A report by the European Space Agency reveals that on average, more than three intact satellites or rocket bodies re-enter Earth’s atmosphere daily. This surge in space debris has raised concerns about potential collisions and uncontrolled reentries, making the need for better tracking and management more urgent.

Conclusion

As Kosmos 482 prepares for its dramatic return, it serves as a reminder of our ongoing relationship with space. From the excitement of exploration to the challenges of debris management, these events highlight the delicate balance we must maintain in our pursuit of knowledge beyond our planet. For more insights on space debris and tracking efforts, you can explore this European Space Agency report.

Source link