A failed Soviet Venus probe is falling to Earth. Here's what it might look like

image via Space.com

May 8, 2025, 6:31 PM

• •A failed Soviet Venus lander will fall back to Earth after being stranded for 53 years
• •New images of Soviet Venus lander falling to Earth suggest its parachute may be out
• •Kessler Syndrome and the space debris problem

Kosmos 482, a failed Soviet space probe launched in 1972, is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere soon after orbiting for over 50 years. Recent spacecraft reentries, like SpaceX's Starlink satellites and a dead Chinese satellite, offer clues about what to expect. Unlike most space debris that disintegrates, Kosmos 482, designed for Venus, might survive intact, potentially impacting the surface. The probe's reentry promises a unique skywatching event, offering a glimpse into the challenges and spectacles of space debris.

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