Kosmos 482: Unidentified Impact

The Soviet Union's Kosmos-482 spacecraft, launched in 1972 as a Venus probe, is predicted to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and potentially crash sometime between now and 2025. The spacecraft suffered a launch failure, leaving it stranded in Earth orbit rather than sending it to Venus as intended. While the majority of the spacecraft will likely burn up during re-entry, an estimated 200 to 500 kilograms of its original mass is expected to survive. This debris, composed of heat-resistant materials, could scatter over a large area. While experts are closely monitoring its trajectory, predicting the exact time and location of the impact remains challenging due to atmospheric variations. The uncertainty surrounding the re-entry poses a potential risk, although the probability of causing harm is considered low. The spacecraft's design, including its descent module and potentially hazardous materials, has raised concerns. However, due to the uncontrolled nature of the re-entry, specific mitigation efforts are limited. Scientists continue to track the spacecraft's orbit and will refine their predictions as the re-entry date approaches. The event serves as a reminder of the long-term risks associated with space debris and the importance of responsible space activities. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/soviet-kosmos-482-spacecraft-crashes-090733311.html