Kosmos 482: The Return of a Defunct Soviet Spacecraft
After several decades in orbit, the Soviet space probe known as Kosmos 482 has reportedly reentered Earth’s atmosphere. This event occurred early Saturday morning, approximately at 2 a.m. Eastern Time.
The Journey of Kosmos 482
Kosmos 482 was originally launched on March 31, 1972, as part of a mission to study Venus. Unfortunately, after achieving orbit around Earth, the spacecraft failed to transition towards its intended trajectory to the planet. Subsequently, it fragmented into four sections.
- Two smaller components remained in orbit for only 48 hours.
- The larger pieces, including a robust titanium shell, persisted in an elliptical orbit around Earth for over five decades.
Tracking the Spacecraft’s Reentry
Leading up to reentry, both NASA and the European Space Agency closely monitored Kosmos 482. Their predictions indicated it would descend through the atmosphere sometime overnight from Friday to Saturday. However, as the hours passed midnight, tracking became difficult.
The European Space Agency confirmed the spacecraft’s reentry around the designated time. However, as of now, there have been no verified reports regarding the exact location of its landing or whether any remnants survived the reentry process.
Potential Risks and Safety Concerns
Despite the spacecraft’s robust design, experts believe that the likelihood of causing harm to individuals on the ground remains minimal. According to the Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies, “any one individual was more likely to be struck by lightning than injured by Cosmos 482.”
They estimated a risk factor of 0.4 in 10,000 of injury if the spacecraft maintained its structural integrity during the descent.
The Future of Aerial Debris
The fall of Kosmos 482 serves as a reminder of the many defunct satellites and spacecraft still orbiting Earth. Experts continue to study the risks and potential impacts of this leftover space debris.
