Will a Soviet-era spacecraft fall over AZ? What to know about Kosmos 482 reentry
Keep an eye on Arizona skies this week — a Soviet-era spacecraft could come crashing down.
Kosmos 482, launched in 1972, was meant to explore Venus, but a malfunction left it stuck in Earth's orbit for 53 years, making it an accidental satellite. Now, it's finally expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere sometime between May 8 and 12, though scientists still don't know exactly where it will fall. And yes, Arizona is within the possible zone.
What makes this a big deal? Kosmos 482 was built tough, designed to survive Venus' brutal atmosphere, meaning pieces of it might survive reentry and actually hit the ground. Experts are watching closely, but for now, the skies hold a little extra suspense.
Here is everything to know about Kosmos 482.
What was Cosmos 482?
Cosmos 482, or Kosmos 482, was a Soviet spacecraft launched in 1972, originally intended to be a Venus lander. Due to a timer malfunction, it never escaped Earth's orbit and has been circling the planet for over 50 years.
How big is Kosmos 482?
The craft is about 3.2 feet across and weighs roughly 1,100 pounds. It was built to survive Venus' extreme atmosphere, meaning some parts could survive reentry to Earth.
Where will Cosmos 482 land?
Kosmos 482 is set to return to Earth May 8 to 12, with more probability centered around May 10. Scientists anticipate the spacecraft to re-enter Earth's atmosphere anywhere between 52° north and 52° south latitude, covering about half the world's population, though it's more likely to fall over the ocean.
How many Kosmos satellites are there?
There have been over 2,500 Kosmos satellites launched by the Soviet Union, and later Russia, since 1962.
The 'Kosmos' name was used for many satellites, including military, scientific, navigation and test vehicles, regardless of their original mission if they stayed in Earth orbit. So, not all Kosmos satellites were part of a single program, the name became a catch-all label.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Soviet spacecraft crash: What to know about Kosmos 482 reentry
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