Latest news with #Kosmos
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Failed Soviet spacecraft could crash to Earth this week — here's where it might hit (map)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A failed Soviet spacecraft that was mistakenly trapped in Earth orbit more than 50 years ago is expected to finally crash back to our planet this week. Experts predict that the spacecraft, called the Kosmos 482 Descent Craft, will make its final, fiery plunge through the atmosphere sometime between May 8 and May 12, traveling at an estimated speed of 150 mph (242 km/h) as it careens through the sky like a meteor. Built to withstand a trip through the dense atmosphere of Venus, the 3-foot-wide (1 meter), 1,091 pound (495 kilograms) lander is likely to stay in one piece as it falls to Earth like a cosmic cannonball. But where will Kosmos 482 land, and are any major cities in its potential path? Unfortunately, at the moment, nobody knows for sure where Kosmos 482 will hit — and its potential landing area covers most of the planet. Given the satellite's current orbit, it could ultimately land anywhere between 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south latitude, Marco Langbroek, a lecturer in space situational awareness at Delft Technical University in the Netherlands who discovered the lander's imminent return, wrote in a blog post. Here's what that area looks like, shown in orange on the map below: The projected landing zone encompasses an enormous area on both sides of the equator. This broad swath includes the entire continental United States, all of South America, Africa and Australia, and most of Europe and Asia south of the Arctic Circle. (The Arctic Circle begins just above 66 degrees north latitude). Virtually every major city on Earth, from New York to London to Beijing, falls within this zone. That sounds bad — but you shouldn't worry: The odds of the runaway Kosmos spacecraft hitting any given populated area are exceptionally slim. With roughly 71% of our planet's surface covered in water, it is overwhelmingly likely that Kosmos 482 will land in the ocean, as most pieces of deorbited space debris do. Related: Doomed Soviet spacecraft tumbling toward Earth may already have its parachute out, new images hint The odds of the spacecraft falling directly onto your head are probably "the usual one-in-several-thousand chance" associated with falling space debris, Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, wrote in a blog post. Experts won't be able to narrow down Kosmos 482's potential landing zone until it actually begins its descent through the atmosphere, which is currently predicted to happen on May 10, give or take a couple days. The Kosmos 482 probe was made and launched by the U.S.S.R. in 1972 as part of the Soviet Union's Venera program to explore Venus. The program achieved success with the Venera 7 and 8 probes, which were the first two spacecraft to successfully land on Venus in 1970 and 1972, respectively. Kosmos 482 was built as a sister probe to Venera 8. But due to a malfunction with the Soyuz rocket that lofted Kosmos 482 into space, the probe failed to achieve enough velocity to reach Venus, instead settling into an elliptical orbit around Earth. RELATED STORIES —How do tiny pieces of space junk cause incredible damage? —Space junk: How broken satellites are creating a garbage crisis in the sky —It's time to clean up space junk before orbits become 'unusable,' according to new ESA report Soon after its botched launch, Kosmos 482 broke into several pieces. The probe's main body reentered Earth's atmosphere on May 5, 1981, while the Descent Craft remained in its unintended orbit for almost 53 years — until now. Kosmos 482 is just one of more than 1.2 million pieces of space debris measuring larger than 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) in size, and one of roughly 50,000 pieces of space junk measuring more than 4 inches (10 cm), according to a recent report from the European Space Agency (ESA). Orbital collisions and uncontrolled reentries are becoming increasingly common, with "intact satellites or rocket bodies … now re-entering the Earth atmosphere on average more than three times a day," according to the ESA report.
Perth Now
09-05-2025
- Science
- Perth Now
At 2pm on Saturday, this rogue spacecraft could hit WA
Nearly 46 years after the wreckage of the Skylab space station caused a sonic boom as it blazed a kaleidoscopic trail across the WA sky, another doomed spacecraft, Kosmos 482, is expected to crash to Earth on Saturday afternoon. And there's a slim chance it will hit WA. For years, scientists have been feverishly attempting to calculate Kosmos 482's exact re-entry point and potential impact zone, which will mark a fiery end to a failed mission to Venus that started at the height of the Cold War. UWA Professor David Coward is one of two Australian signatories to the International Asteroid Warning Network, a UN-backed planetary defence organisation, and said Kosmos 482 was on track to make re-entry around 2pm Perth time on Saturday. 'I haven't done the math, but (the chances of landing in WA are) probably, maybe one-in-1000, off the top of my head,' Professor Coward told The West Australian. This large storage cylinder from Skylab crashed to earth on remote Woorlba Station 230kms East of Norseman 22nd June 2009. Credit: Astrid Volzke / WA News However, Professor Coward, who also leads the Space Situational Awareness Node at UWA's International Space Centre, said a person has 'more chance of winning the lottery' than being struck by falling space debris. He said Kosmos 482 was being currently being tracked by radar and the most likely re-entry point was above WA, before the craft breaks up over Afghanistan some 20 to 30 seconds later. That's an indication of just how fast the spacecraft is travelling — more than 27,000km/h, although atmospheric friction will eventually slow it to under 300km/h. Ground tracking data for Kosmos 482 showing the flight path over the Earth. Credit: supplied The immense heat generated by this friction typically incinerates space junk before it reaches the Earth's surface, but Kosmos 482 is different. At nearly half a tonne in weight and roughly the size of a washing machine, this titanium alloy craft was built to survive such extreme conditions. 'Normally, you would predict a break-up of the satellite in the atmosphere, and nothing would return,' Professor Coward explained. 'This particular Kosmos is designed to land on Venus, it's not designed to land on Earth, and Venus is very hostile, with extremely high temperatures . . . so, in terms of an impact, it's highly, highly probable that this will impact the Earth.' Skylab made a big impact when a piece of the space station landed in the Nullarbor Plain. NASA officals inspect the piece on display in Kalgoorlie. Credit: supplied From 1961 to 1984, the former Soviet Union launched 29 spacecraft towards Venus as part of the Venera missions, with 10 successfully landing on the planet, three overshooting and falling into orbit around the Sun, and the rest suffering catastrophic failures on launch or during the journey. Kosmos 482 is actually the lander module from one of these missions that has survived in orbit for decades after the rest of the rocket failed to slip the surly bonds of Earth and fell back to the surface in 1972. With its spherical shape and sturdy construction, the craft is expected to travel through the atmosphere like a cannonball, rather than leaving a trail of burning debris as per Skylab. This large storage cylinder from Skylab crashed to earth on remote Woorlba Station 230kms East of Norseman on 22nd June 2009. Credit: Astrid Volzke / WA News The US space station left debris over a large area of WA in 1979, some of which is currently on display in the Esperance Museum. Professor Coward said WA was a 'hub for space surveillance', a role that is set to become even more critical in future as the space surrounding Earth gets increasingly crowded. For instance, there is a SpaceX Starlink satellite re-entering the atmosphere every day, and this is only getting worse. 'We need to understand what's happening in the skies above us, and what are any potential threats, whether it's accidental or purposeful,' Professor Coward said.
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Soviet Satellite Is Plummeting to Earth. Here's Where and When It Could Land
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A derelict Soviet-era spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 is set to hurtle back toward Earth after more than five decades in orbit. Newsweek contacted Russia's Roscosmos for comment via email on Wednesday. Why It Matters Originally launched by the Soviet Union in 1972 as part of an ill-fated mission to Venus, the spacecraft has remained aloft in a deteriorating orbit. Experts now say it may reenter the atmosphere as early as this week. What To Know Launched on March 31, 1972, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kosmos 482 was intended to be a Venus probe, according to NASA. After entering a parking orbit around Earth, the spacecraft appeared to initiate a transfer toward Venus. It then broke into four components: two remained in low Earth orbit and reentered the atmosphere within 48 hours, while the other two—likely the lander probe and the detached upper stage engine—entered a higher elliptical orbit, NASA added. Venera 8, an earlier Soviet spaceship that was launched toward Venus in 1972, resembles the Kosmos 482. Venera 8, an earlier Soviet spaceship that was launched toward Venus in 1972, resembles the Kosmos 482. Alexander Chernov/NASA It is believed that a malfunction caused an incomplete engine burn, which failed to provide the necessary velocity for the Venus transfer, leaving the payload stranded in this orbit. According to NASA, the lander probe's orbit has been gradually decaying, and it is projected to reenter Earth's atmosphere around May 10. Marco Langbroek, a lecturer and space traffic expert at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, said that should the Kosmos object hit the ground, it would most likely do so between 52 degrees north and 52 south latitudes. What People Are Saying Speaking of the likely landing area, Marco Langbroek told CNN: "That area encompasses several prominent landmasses and countries: the whole of Africa, South America, Australia, the USA, parts of Canada, parts of Europe, and parts of Asia. … But as 70 percent of our planet is water, chances are good that it will end up in an Ocean somewhere." NASA said on its website: "Typically Soviet planetary missions were initially put into an Earth parking orbit as a launch platform with a rocket engine and attached probe. The probes were then launched toward their targets with an engine burn with a duration of roughly four minutes. If the engine misfired or the burn was not completed, the probes would be left in Earth orbit and given a Cosmos designation." What Happens Next NASA said the probe is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere between May 9 and 11, adding, "The time and location of atmospheric reentry should be known more accurately over the next few days, but the uncertainty will be fairly significant right up to reentry."
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Cosmos 482: Soviet spacecraft to return to Earth after over 50 years
The space agency said that since the probe was designed to withstand entry into Venus' atmosphere, it is possible that parts of it will survive reentry. The spacecraft was meant to be a Venus probe. But it failed to escape low Earth orbit following its launch in 1972, according to NASA. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard & Smithsonian, told NPR that the probe is in its "final death plunge." "There's a not-trivial chance that it could hit somewhere where it damages property, and there's a small chance - but it's like one in thousands - that it could hurt someone," he said. What was Cosmos 482 The name Cosmos (or Kosmos) was given to Soviet spacecraft that remained in Earth's orbit beginning in 1962, regardless of whether that was their intended final destination - according to NASA. The space agency points to evidence from Soviet and non-Soviet sources and historical documents to substantiate its belief that Cosmos 482 was intended to reach Venus. The probe was launched four days after the Venera 8 atmospheric probe that made it to Venus and had an identical design, NASA said. Soviet planetary missions were initially put into Earth's orbit as a launch platform with a rocket engine and attached probe, according to NASA. The probes were then launched toward their targets with an engine burn with a duration of roughly four minutes. Cosmos 482 separated into four pieces, with two pieces decaying in low Earth orbit within 48 hours and the remaining pieces remaining in higher orbit. It is thought that a malfunction during the engine burn left the craft unable to reach the velocity needed to escape orbit and reach Venus, according to NASA.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Here's when the Soviet-era spacecraft Cosmos 482 may return to Earth
Here's when the Soviet-era spacecraft Cosmos 482 may return to Earth Show Caption Hide Caption Soviet-era spacecraft to reenter Earth's atmosphere after 50 years A Soviet-era spacecraft is set to reenter Earth's atmosphere more than 50 years after a failed mission to Venus. unbranded - Newsworthy Part of a Soviet-era spacecraft may return to Earth this week, more than 50 years after it embarked on a botched mission to Venus. Cosmos 482 launched in 1972 with the intent of landing on Venus for scientific measurements until an apparent engine malfunction made arrival unfeasible. Since the engines failed to reach a necessary velocity to enter Venus' orbit, Cosmos 482 was abandoned in low-Earth orbit and it has moved around the planet ever since. The spacecraft will likely commence its descent back to Earth's atmosphere on May 10, returning to the planet sometime by May 13, according to NASA. However, officials not sure exactly where the spacecraft will land or what its condition will look like. NASA said some parts may survive as the probe was designed to withstand entry into Venus' atmosphere. Here's what to know about the precarious arrival of whatever is left of Cosmos 482. When will the Cosmos 482 spacecraft return to Earth? Part of the Cosmos 482 spacecraft is slated to reenter Earth's atmosphere on Friday, May 9 at 12:42 a.m. EST, according to Aerospace. NASA predicts the decaying probe could reenter Earth's atmosphere anytime between Wednesday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 13. However, the spacecraft is most likely to begin its descent on Saturday, May 10. Where will Cosmos 482 land? As of now, Cosmos 482's landing zone remains *ahem* up in the air. A large swath of the globe could be a potential reentry location for the space debris. And estimates from Marco Langbroek, a lecturer and space traffic expert at Delft Technical University in the Netherlands, hardly helped narrow down the possibilities. The potential landing zone "includes much of south and mid-latitude Europe and Asia, as well as the Americas and the whole of Africa and Australia," Langbroek wrote on his blog. What was Cosmos 482 The name Cosmos (or Kosmos) was given to Soviet spacecraft that remained in Earth's orbit beginning in 1962, regardless of whether that was their intended final destination, according to NASA. The space agency points to evidence from Soviet and non-Soviet sources and historical documents to substantiate its belief that Cosmos 482 was intended to reach Venus. The probe was launched four days after the Venera 8 atmospheric probe that made it to Venus and had an identical design, NASA said. Soviet planetary missions were initially put into Earth's orbit as a launch platform with a rocket engine and attached probe, according to NASA. The probes were then launched toward their targets with an engine burn with a duration of roughly four minutes. Cosmos 482 separated into four pieces, with two pieces decaying in low Earth orbit within 48 hours and the remaining pieces remaining in higher orbit. It is thought that a malfunction during the engine burn left the craft unable to reach the velocity needed to escape orbit and reach Venus, according to NASA. What was mission of Cosmos 482? Cosmos 482 was one in a pair of identical Venus atmospheric lander probes that launched in 1972. The other, Venera 8, successfully landed on Venus to make scientific measurements of its soil, known as regolith, before ceasing operations, according to NASA. But when the Cosmos 482 launched four days after its twin probe, it failed to reach its destination due to an apparent engine malfunction. Unable to fire its engines to reach a velocity that would have allowed it to transfer into Venus' orbit, the spacecraft was instead left stranded in low-Earth orbit. As a result, the spacecraft is believed to have separated into four pieces, two of which decayed within 48 hours and fell out of orbit. The remaining two pieces, presumably the lander probe and a detached upper stage engine unit, went into a higher orbit. How did Cosmos 482 get its name? Starting in 1962, the name "Cosmos" (or "Kosmos") was given to any Soviet spacecraft that reached Earth's orbit – even if that wasn't its intended destination, according to NASA. The Soviet Union's planetary missions involved putting vehicles into what's referred to as an Earth parking orbit, or a temporary orbit used during the launch of a spacecraft. From there, a probe attached to a launch platform with a rocket engine would be sent toward its destination using an engine burn. But if the engine misfired or the burn was not successful, the probes would be left in Earth orbit and given a "Cosmos" designation. Contributing: James Powel
