Failed Soviet Venus Probe Set to Crash-Land on Earth
The Soviet-era spacecraft Cosmos 482, launched in 1972, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere early Saturday morning, likely splashing down in the Indian Ocean. Intended for a Venus landing, the probe instead remained in Earth orbit for decades due to a launch failure. Despite its uncontrolled reentry, experts confirmed it posed minimal risk to the public due to its robust heat shield designed for the Venusian atmosphere. The incident highlights the increasing concern over space debris as commercial space activity expands.
John Q. Hosedrinker