A spacecraft from the Soviet Union, originally built to land on Venus, is now set to return to Earth. After over 50 years in orbit, the spacecraft is expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Known as Kosmos 482, this spacecraft was launched in 1972, but a rocket malfunction kept it from leaving Earth’s orbit. Most of the spacecraft burned up soon after launch, but the landing capsule survived and has been in orbit since.
What is Kosmos 482?
Kosmos 482 was launched by the Soviet Union during the space race. The goal was for the spacecraft to land on Venus, but the mission failed. The rocket malfunctioned, and the spacecraft never reached its destination. Most of the spacecraft burned up in the first decade, but the landing capsule stayed intact. This capsule has orbited Earth for over 50 years and is now in danger of falling back to Earth.
When Will It Reenter?
Experts believe that Kosmos 482 will reenter Earth’s atmosphere on or around May 10. The spacecraft is traveling at 150 mph (242 km/h). This is relatively slow for a spacecraft. However, the landing capsule is made from durable materials. These materials were designed to withstand the harsh conditions of Venus, which could help it survive reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Will It Cause Harm?
Many people are worried about the spacecraft’s reentry. However, experts say the risk of it causing harm is very low. Marco Langbroek, a space debris expert, reassured the public, saying, “It’s no more dangerous than a random meteorite fall.” He went on to explain that people are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be hit by falling space debris.
The landing capsule is one meter in diameter. During reentry, it may not fully burn up. If the heat shield is still intact, the spacecraft could survive. However, if the shield has weakened, the capsule may burn up on descent. If the shield holds, the half-ton spacecraft could reach Earth in one piece.
What Are the Risks?
Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist, agrees with Langbroek. He also says it would be better if the heat shield fails. If it does, the spacecraft will burn up during reentry, causing no danger. If the heat shield remains intact, the spacecraft could survive and fall to Earth.
The real danger is if the spacecraft lands on the ground intact. This could cause harm, but the likelihood of that happening is very low.
Where Will It Land?
Kosmos 482 could land anywhere between 51.7° north and south latitude. This area spans from Edmonton, Canada, and London, UK, to Cape Horn in South America. Since over 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water, experts believe it is most likely the spacecraft will land in the ocean.
Because most of Earth’s surface is water, the chance of it landing in a populated area is very small. However, the unpredictability of space debris means we cannot rule out the possibility of it hitting land.
Space Debris: A Growing Problem
Kosmos 482 is not the only object to reenter Earth’s atmosphere without control. In recent years, other objects, including China’s Long March rocket booster and the Tiangong-1 space station, have reentered Earth’s atmosphere. These incidents have raised concerns about space debris and the dangers it may pose.
As the number of satellites, rockets, and other objects launched into space increases, so does the risk of uncontrolled reentry. Space debris is becoming a serious problem. Experts are working on ways to reduce the risks posed by these objects.
How Are Experts Addressing Space Debris?
International agencies have started to develop guidelines to deal with space debris. Some companies are working on technology to capture or destroy old satellites before they cause harm. But with so many objects in orbit, solving the space debris problem will be challenging.
While efforts to reduce space debris are underway, uncontrolled reentries are likely to continue. As more countries and private companies launch objects into space, the risk of space debris impacting Earth will increase.
The Bottom Line
Experts agree that the risks of Kosmos 482 causing harm during reentry are very low. However, it highlights a growing concern about space debris. The spacecraft was launched over 50 years ago, and it is just one of many objects that will eventually return to Earth. As space exploration continues to expand, managing the debris in orbit will become more important.