In News:

A 500-kg fragment of the Soviet-era Kosmos 482 spacecraft, launched in 1972 as part of the Venera programme, is expected to make an uncontrolled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere around May 10, 2025, after over 53 years in orbit.

What was the Kosmos 482 Mission?

• Launched: March 31, 1972, by the Soviet Union.
• Objective: To land a probe on Venus and collect atmospheric and surface data.
• Programme: Part of the Venera series (1961–1984), which launched 28 probes to Venus.
  • 13 entered the Venusian atmosphere.
  • 10 successfully landed on the surface.
• Twin Mission:Venera 8, launched on March 27, 1972, successfully landed on Venus and transmitted data for 50 minutes.

Mission Failure and Orbit Status

• The mission failed due to a timer malfunction in the rocket's upper stage, which shut down prematurely, leaving the spacecraft stranded in low Earth orbit instead of heading to Venus.
• The main spacecraft eventually burned up in the atmosphere, but a lander module (approx. 500 kg) remained in orbit.

Expected Re-entry (May 2025)

• The lander module is currently being dragged down by atmospheric friction.
• No precise location or time of impact is known due to the uncontrolled nature of its descent.
• Expected re-entry corridor lies between 52° North and 52° South latitude, covering:
  • Africa, Australia
  • Most of the Americas
  • Much of southern and mid-latitude Europe and Asia

Is it a risk to Earth?

• The lander is made of titanium, with a melting point of ~1,700°C, higher than typical atmospheric re-entry temperatures (~1,600°C).
• This increases the likelihood of survival through re-entry.
• Possible outcomes as per space debris experts:
  • “A splash” (ocean impact) — least dangerous
  • “A thud” — impact on uninhabited land
  • “An ouch” — impact on populated area (least desired scenario)
• If intact, the object could impact Earth at a speed of ~242 km/h, similar to a high-speed train.