Latest news with #MarcinPilinski
Daily Record
10-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Record
Russian aircraft Kosmos 482 may have just crashed on Earth, according to experts
The spacecraft was originally made to land on Venus, and was launched 53 years ago. The last piece of a Russian spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 had been making an uncontrolled approach towards Earth for several weeks, and it may have just crashed somewhere on the planet. Experts have been tracking the spacecraft's approach to Earth, and they say it's unlikely it will have crashed into a populated area. The European Space Agency and others say the spacecraft- which has been stuck in orbit since 1972- has most likely already hit the Earth, as it was not spotted on its most recent pass over radar in Germany. However, it remains unclear exactly when and where the probe may have entered the atmosphere and crash landed. The spacecraft was originally made to land on Venus, and was built to survive the far-off planet's extreme atmosphere, reported the Independent. However, during its launch 53 years ago in 1972, it ran into technical problems and got stuck in orbit around Earth. The Russian-made probe had been floating around our planet since. Because the spacecraft was built to endure the heat and high-pressure of Venus, experts have estimated that it could have survived its journey through Earth's atmosphere, instead of breaking apart, as is usual for most uncontrolled descents. The spherical spacecraft measures 3ft (one metre) across and weighs more than 1,000lbs (495kg). It is the last piece of Kosmos 482 to fall from the sky, after all the other parts of the spacecraft plummeted within a decade of its initial launch. According to experts, the probe was likely to land over water or a desolate region of land, rather than a populated area of the planet. University of Colorado Boulder scientist Marcin Pilinski said: "While we can anticipate that most of this object will not burn up in the atmosphere during re-entry, it may be severely damaged on impact." All indications pointed to a re-entry early on the morning of Saturday, May 10, but despite space debris trackers documenting the spacecraft's progress, it was impossible to know exactly when and where Kosmos 482 would re-enter the atmosphere. The details were difficult to determine because of potential solar activity and the fact that the spacecraft was so old. Kosmos 482's parachutes were expected to be rendered useless after so much time in space, and its batteries were probably long dead. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek estimated the impact speed to be 150mph if the spacecraft had remained intact. The Soviets launched Kosmos 482 in 1972, with intentions to send it to Venus to join the other spacecraft in their Venera programme. But after a rocket malfunction, the craft was left stuck in orbit around Earth. Any surviving wreckage of the craft will belong to Russia under a United Nations treaty. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Arab Times
10-05-2025
- Science
- Arab Times
Soviet-era spacecraft set to crash back to Earth after 50 years in orbit
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 10, (AP): A half-ton Soviet spacecraft that never made it to Venus 53 years ago is expected to fall back to Earth this weekend. Built to land on the solar system's hottest planet, the titanium-covered spacecraft may survive its fiery, uncontrolled plunge through Earth's atmosphere, predicted to occur on Saturday. But experts said it likely would come down over water, covering most of the world, or a desolate region. The odds of it slamming into a populated area are "infinitesimally small,' said University of Colorado Boulder scientist Marcin Pilinski. "While we can anticipate that most of this object will not burn up in the atmosphere during reentry, it may be severely damaged on impact," Pilinski said in an email. By Friday, all indications pointed to a reentry early Saturday morning, U.S. Eastern Time, give or take several hours. While space debris trackers around the world converged in their forecasts, it was still too soon to know exactly when and where the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 would come down. That uncertainty was due to potential solar activity and the spacecraft's old condition. Its parachutes were expected to be useless by now and its batteries long dead. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek estimated the impact speed at 150 mph (242 kph) if the spacecraft remains intact. The Soviets launched Kosmos 482 in 1972, intending to send it to Venus to join other spacecraft in their Venera program. But a rocket malfunction left this one stuck in orbit around Earth. Gravity kept tugging on it and was expected to finally cause its doom. Spherical in shape, the spacecraft - 3-foot (1-meter) across and packing more than 1,000 pounds (495 kilograms) - will be the last piece of Kosmos 482 to fall from the sky. All the other parts plummeted within a decade.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Kosmos-482: Out-of-control Russian spacecraft probably just fell to Earth, experts say
An out-of-control Russian spacecraft has probably plummeted to Earth, experts say. In recent weeks, the spacecraft known as Kosmos-482 has been making an uncontrolled approach towards Earth. Experts have been tracking it since – though noted that it was very unlikely that it would land over a populated era. Now, the European Space Agency and others say the spacecraft has most likely hit the Earth. It was not spotted on its most recent pass over radar in Germany, the agency said, and predictions based on its orbit and previous location suggest that it would probably have already fallen to Earth. But it remains unclear when and where exactly it dropped down. The spacecraft was originally made to land on Venus, and was built to survive the extreme atmosphere there. But it was hit by technical problems during its launch, and got stuck in orbit around Earth. For the 53 years since, it has been floating around our planet until its orbit collided with the Earth. Since the spacecraft was made to land on the hot and high-pressure planet of Venus, experts have speculated that it could have survived the descent through Earth's atmosphere, rather than breaking up like many other uncontrolled descents. But experts said it was likely to come down over water, covering most of the world, or a desolate region. The odds of it slamming into a populated area are "infinitesimally small", said University of Colorado Boulder scientist Marcin Pilinski. "While we can anticipate that most of this object will not burn up in the atmosphere during re-entry, it may be severely damaged on impact," Mr Pilinski said. By Friday, all indications pointed to a re-entry early on Saturday morning, US Eastern Time, give or take several hours. While space debris trackers around the world converged in their forecasts, it was still too soon to know exactly when and where the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 would come down. That uncertainty was due to potential solar activity and the spacecraft's old condition. Its parachutes were expected to be useless by now and its batteries long dead. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek estimated the impact speed at 150mph if the spacecraft remains intact. The Soviets launched Kosmos 482 in 1972, intending to send it to Venus to join other spacecraft in their Venera programme. But a rocket malfunction left this one stuck in orbit around Earth. Gravity kept tugging on it and was expected to finally cause its doom. Spherical in shape, the spacecraft - 3ft (one metre) across and packing more than 1,000lbs (495kg) - will be the last piece of Kosmos 482 to fall from the sky. All the other parts plummeted within a decade. Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia under a United Nations treaty. Additional reporting by agencies
The Independent
10-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Kosmos-482: Out-of-control Russian spacecraft probably just fell to Earth, experts say
An out-of-control Russian spacecraft has probably plummeted to Earth, experts say. In recent weeks, the spacecraft known as Kosmos-482 has been making an uncontrolled approach towards Earth. Experts have been tracking it since – though noted that it was very unlikely that it would land over a populated era. Now, the European Space Agency and others say the spacecraft has most likely hit the Earth. It was not spotted on its most recent pass over radar in Germany, the agency said, and predictions based on its orbit and previous location suggest that it would probably have already fallen to Earth. But it remains unclear when and where exactly it dropped down. The spacecraft was originally made to land on Venus, and was built to survive the extreme atmosphere there. But it was hit by technical problems during its launch, and got stuck in orbit around Earth. For the 53 years since, it has been floating around our planet until its orbit collided with the Earth. Since the spacecraft was made to land on the hot and high-pressure planet of Venus, experts have speculated that it could have survived the descent through Earth's atmosphere, rather than breaking up like many other uncontrolled descents. But experts said it was likely to come down over water, covering most of the world, or a desolate region. The odds of it slamming into a populated area are "infinitesimally small", said University of Colorado Boulder scientist Marcin Pilinski. "While we can anticipate that most of this object will not burn up in the atmosphere during re-entry, it may be severely damaged on impact," Mr Pilinski said. By Friday, all indications pointed to a re-entry early on Saturday morning, US Eastern Time, give or take several hours. While space debris trackers around the world converged in their forecasts, it was still too soon to know exactly when and where the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 would come down. That uncertainty was due to potential solar activity and the spacecraft's old condition. Its parachutes were expected to be useless by now and its batteries long dead. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek estimated the impact speed at 150mph if the spacecraft remains intact. The Soviets launched Kosmos 482 in 1972, intending to send it to Venus to join other spacecraft in their Venera programme. But a rocket malfunction left this one stuck in orbit around Earth. Gravity kept tugging on it and was expected to finally cause its doom. Spherical in shape, the spacecraft - 3ft (one metre) across and packing more than 1,000lbs (495kg) - will be the last piece of Kosmos 482 to fall from the sky. All the other parts plummeted within a decade. Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia under a United Nations treaty.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Out-of-control Soviet satellite Kosmos could smash into the Earth TODAY - and scientists still have no idea where it will hit
An out-of-control Soviet satellite is expected to smash into the Earth today - but scientists don't know where. The spacecraft was meant to go to Venus, but it never made it to the planet and is now expected to fall back to Earth. The half-ton Soviet craft, named Kosmos 482, is likely to come down over water or a desolate region. Experts have said that the odds of it landing into a populated area are 'infinitesimally small' Scientists estimated on Friday that it was likely to land on Saturday morning, US eastern time, give or take several hours. While space debris trackers around the world converged in their forecasts, it was still too soon to know exactly when and where the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 would come down. That uncertainty was due to potential solar activity and the spacecraft's old condition. University of Colorado Boulder scientist Marcin Pilinski said: 'While we can anticipate that most of this object will not burn up in the atmosphere during re-entry, it may be severely damaged on impact.' Mr Pilinski said it was very unlikely it would hit populated areas. Its parachutes were expected to be useless by now, and its batteries long dead. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek estimated the craft will be heading into earth at around 150mph if it remains intact. The satellite was launched in 1972, and it was intended to go to Venus to join other spacecraft in their Venera programme. However, a rocket malfunction left this one stuck in orbit around Earth. Gravity kept tugging on it and was expected to finally cause its doom. Spherical in shape, the spacecraft - 3ft (one metre) across and packing more than 1,000lbs (495kg) - will be the last piece of Kosmos 482 to fall from the sky. All the other parts plummeted within a decade. Any surviving wreckage will belong to Russia under a United Nations treaty. Dr Marco Langbroek, an astronomer and satellite tracker at the Delft University of Technology, has used the latest observations of this spacecraft to calculate where it might fall. Previously, Dr Langbroek calculated that the landing module could impact anywhere within latitude 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south. In the UK, that put anywhere south of Cambridge, Ipswich, and Milton Keynes at risk of being hit. Now, further observations of Kosmos 482's orbit have allowed Dr Langbroek to work out the trajectory it will take as it falls, and what cities it will pass over. Comparing this path to a list of cities with over one million residents, there are a significant number of densely populated areas that could be at risk. In Europe, the craft could impact London, Brussels, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, or a number of other major cities. In North America, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Calgary and Havana are all under the re-entry path. Meanwhile, in South America, Brazil is particularly exposed to risk, with São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Natal all in the firing line. Nor is the rest of the world entirely safe with major Asian cities such as Hiroshima and Sapporo in Japan, Fuzhou in China, Nagpur in India, and Pyongyang in North Korea all under the path. Even sparsely populated Australia does not escape risk, with Brisbane directly under the possible landing pathway.
