Latest news with #V-71No.671
Mint
09-05-2025
- Science
- Mint
Should you panic? Old Soviet spacecraft to fall back to Earth after over 50 years; check the risk of deadly impact
Cosmos 482, a piece of an old Soviet spacecraft, is expected to fall back to Earth around May 10, more than 50 years after it was sent toward Venus, CNN reported. Because of its strong heat shield, it might not burn up completely when it reenters Earth's atmosphere. This makes it different from most space junk, which usually breaks apart and burns before hitting the ground. The Soviet Space Research Institute (IKI) started in the 1960s during the space race between the Soviet Union and the USA. One of its big missions was the Venera program, which sent spacecraft to Venus. In 1972, two probes were launched. Only one (V-71 No. 670) reached Venus and sent data back for 50 minutes. The second probe (V-71 No. 671) failed and got stuck in Earth's orbit. It was later renamed Cosmos 482, also spelled as Kosmos 482. Over time, bits of this failed spacecraft broke off and fell to Earth. Now, scientists think the main part of Cosmos 482 will fall back this week. It's a heavy metal capsule. Experts say it's very solid, like a bowling ball, because it has stayed in space for so long. Although it had a parachute, it's unlikely to work now due to the years spent in space. As per experts, the risk of it causing deadly damage is about 1 in 25,000. The chance is lower than being struck by lightning. If it does fall to the ground, it could land anywhere between 52 degrees North and South, which includes large parts of the world. The area comprises Africa, Asia, the USA, Europe and Australia. However, since most of Earth is covered by water, it is more likely to fall into the ocean. Scientists still don't know exactly when or where it will fall. They are also unsure how big the part is. Dr. Jonathan McDowell, an expert from Harvard, spoke to CNN about the risk involved. There's no need to worry, per Dr. McDowell. 'But, you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head,' he quipped.
ITV News
08-05-2025
- Science
- ITV News
'Wouldn't want it bashing you on the head': Soviet-era spacecraft to crash back to Earth this week
A Soviet-era spacecraft is due to crash back to Earth this week after it failed to reach Venus more than 50 years ago. The space debris, known as Kosmos 482, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere sometime around May 10, however, not much is known about the spacecraft, including its size and shape. If the debris is the "entry capsule," like many researchers believe it to be, then it could survive the trip home, posing a small but not zero risk to people on the ground. Dr Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist, said the risk of the object hitting people on the ground is likely minimal, and there's "no need for major concern", but warned "you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head". While most objects, such as meteors and space junk, disintegrate on re-entry due to the Earth's atmosphere, the entry capsule would be equipped with a substantial heat shield, meaning it "might well survive Earth atmosphere entry and hit the ground". "It is quite dense, whatever it is, because it had a very low point in its orbit, yet it didn't decay for decades,' said Marlon Sorge, a space debris expert, 'so it's clearly bowling ball-ish'. The chances of Kosmos 482 causing deadly damage are roughly 1 in 25,000, according to The Aerospace Corporation's calculations, Sorge said. "You have a larger risk of being hit by lightning once in your lifetime," Marco Langbroek, a lecturer and space traffic expert said. If the Kosmos 482 object does hit the ground, it's likely to hit an area that encompasses "the whole of Africa, South America, Australia, the USA, parts of Canada, parts of Europe, and parts of Asia," Mr Langbroek said. 'But as 70% of our planet is water, chances are good that it will end up in an Ocean somewhere," he added. In the mid-1960s, the Soviet Space Institute (IKI) was formed amid the 20th-century space race between the US and USSR. After the US reached the moon in 1969, the IKI turned its attention towards Venus and sent up a series of probes in the 1970s and 80s. Some survived the trip and sent data back to Earth before the programme was stopped. Only one probe managed to land on Venus and operated for 50 minutes on the planet's surface. Another labeled V71 No. 671, launched in 1972, failed to put itself on Venus' trajectory and was stranded closer to home, according to NASA. Several pieces of debris were created from V-71 No. 671's failure, with at least two having already fallen out of orbit, but the cylindrical entry capsule - which NASA has named as Kosmos 482 - is what researchers believe will plummet back to Earth this weekend. 'What goes up must come down,' Mr Sorge said. 'We're here talking about it more than 50 years later, which is another proof point for the importance of debris mitigation and making sure we're having that dialogue (as a space community) because what you put up in space today might affect us for decades to come.'
7NEWS
07-05-2025
- Science
- 7NEWS
Soviet-era spacecraft that failed to reach Venus is due to crash back to Earth this week
A piece of a Soviet vehicle that malfunctioned en route to Venus more than 50 years ago is due to crash back to Earth as soon as this week. Much about the piece of space debris, called Cosmos 482 (also spelled Kosmos 482), is unknown. Though most projections estimate the object will re-enter the atmosphere about May 10, unknowns about its exact shape and size, as well as the unpredictability of space weather, make some degree of uncertainty inevitable. It's also unclear which portion of the vehicle is set to re-enter, though researchers believe it to be the probe, or 'entry capsule,' which was designed to survive the extreme temperature and pressure of landing on Venus — which has an atmosphere 90 times more dense than Earth's. That means it could survive its unexpected trip back home, posing a small but non-zero risk to people on the ground. While space junk and meteors routinely veer toward a crash-landing on Earth, most of the objects disintegrate as they're torn apart due to friction and pressure as they hit Earth's thick atmosphere while travelling thousands of kilometres per hour. But if the Cosmos 482 object is indeed a Soviet re-entry capsule, it would be equipped with a substantial heat shield, meaning it 'might well survive Earth atmosphere entry and hit the ground,' according to Dr Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics who shared his predictions about Cosmos 482 on his website. The risk of the object hitting people on the ground is likely minimal, and there's 'no need for major concern,' McDowell wrote, 'but you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head'. Vying for Venus The Soviet Space Research Institute, or IKI, was formed in the mid-1960s amid the 20th-century space race, which pitted the Soviet Union against its chief space-exploring competitor, the United States. The IKI's Venera program sent a series of probes toward Venus in the 1970s and '80s, with several surviving the trip and beaming data and images back to Earth before ceasing operations. Two spacecraft under that program, V-71 No. 670 and V-71 No. 671, launched in 1972, according to McDowell. But only one made a successful voyage to Venus: V-71 No. 670 operated for about 50 minutes on the planet's surface. V-71 No. 671 did not. A rocket carried the Venera spacecraft into a 'parking orbit' around Earth. However, the vehicle then failed to put itself on a Venus transfer trajectory, leaving it stranded closer to home, according to NASA. Beginning in the 1960s, Soviet vehicles left in Earth's orbit were each given the Cosmos name and a numerical designation for tracking purposes, according to NASA. Several pieces of debris were created from V-71 No. 671's failure. At least two have already fallen out of orbit. But researchers believe the one set to plummet back to our planet this week is the cylindrical entry capsule — or Cosmos 482 — because of the way the vehicle has behaved in orbit. 'It is quite dense, whatever it is, because it had a very low point in its orbit, yet it didn't decay for decades,' said Marlon Sorge, a space debris expert with the federally funded research group, The Aerospace Corporation. 'So, it's clearly bowling ball-ish.' And though the Venus probe was equipped with a parachute, the vehicle has been out of service in the harsh environment of space for the past few decades. That means it's highly unlikely that a parachute could deploy at the right time or serve to slow down the vehicle's descent, Sorge told CNN. The risks of re-entry The chances of Cosmos 482 causing deadly damage are roughly 1 in 25,000, according to The Aerospace Corporation's calculations, Sorge said. That's a much lower risk than some other pieces of space debris. At least a few defunct rocket parts re-enter Earth's atmosphere each year, Sorge noted, and many have carried higher odds of catastrophe. But if the Cosmos 482 object does hit the ground, it is likely to land between 52 degrees North and 52 South latitudes, said Marco Langbroek, a lecturer and space traffic expert at Delft Technical University in the Netherlands. '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,' Langbroek said. 'But as 70 per cent of our planet is water, chances are good that it will end up in an Ocean somewhere. 'Yes, there is a risk, but it is small. You have a larger risk of being hit by lightning once in your lifetime.' Safety first Sorge emphasised that if Cosmos 482 hits dry land, it's crucial that bystanders do not attempt to touch the debris. The old spacecraft could leak dangerous fuels or pose other risks to people and property. 'Contact the authorities,' Sorge urged. 'Please don't mess with it.' Aerospace Corporation spokesperson Parker Wishik added that, under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — which remains the primary document outlining international space law — Russia would maintain ownership of any surviving debris and may seek to recover it after landing. And while the global space community has taken steps in recent years to ensure that fewer spacecraft make uncontrolled crash-landings back on Earth, the Cosmos 482 vehicle highlights the importance of continuing those efforts, Wishik added. 'What goes up must come down,' he said. 'We're here talking about it more than 50 years later, which is another proof point for the importance of debris mitigation and making sure we're having that that dialogue (as a space community) because what you put up in space today might affect us for decades to come.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A Soviet-era spacecraft that failed to reach Venus is due to crash back to Earth this week
Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. A piece of a Soviet vehicle that malfunctioned en route to Venus more than 50 years ago is due to crash back to Earth as soon as this week. Much about the piece of space debris, called Cosmos 482 (also spelled Kosmos 482), is unknown. Though most projections estimate that the object will reenter the atmosphere around May 10, unknowns about its exact shape and size — as well as the unpredictability of space weather — make some degree of uncertainty inevitable. It's also unclear which portion of the vehicle is set to reenter, though researchers believe it to be the probe, or 'entry capsule,' which was designed to survive the extreme temperature and pressure of landing on Venus — which has an atmosphere 90 times more dense than Earth's. That means it could survive its unexpected trip back home, posing a small but non-zero risk to people on the ground. While space junk and meteors routinely veer toward a crash-landing on Earth, most of the objects disintegrate as they're torn apart due to friction and pressure as they hit Earth's thick atmosphere while traveling thousands of miles per hour. But if the Cosmos 482 object is indeed a Soviet reentry capsule, it would be equipped with a substantial heat shield, meaning it 'might well survive Earth atmosphere entry and hit the ground,' according to Dr. Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who shared his predictions about Cosmos 482 on his website. The risk of the object hitting people on the ground is likely minimal, and there's 'no need for major concern,' McDowell wrote, 'but you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head.' The Soviet Space Research Institute, or IKI, was formed in the mid-1960s amid the 20th-century space race, which pitted the Soviet Union against its chief space-exploring competitor, the United States. The IKI's Venera program sent a series of probes toward Venus in the 1970s and '80s, with several surviving the trip and beaming data and images back to Earth before ceasing operations. Two spacecraft under that program, V-71 No. 670 and V-71 No. 671, launched in 1972, according to McDowell. But only one made a successful voyage to Venus: V-71 No. 670 operated for about 50 minutes on the planet's surface. V-71 No. 671 did not. A rocket carried the Venera spacecraft into a 'parking orbit' around Earth. However, the vehicle then failed to put itself on a Venus transfer trajectory, leaving it stranded closer to home, according to NASA. Beginning in the 1960s, Soviet vehicles left in Earth's orbit were each given the Cosmos name and a numerical designation for tracking purposes, according to NASA. Several pieces of debris were created from V-71 No. 671's failure. At least two have already fallen out of orbit. But researchers believe the one set to plummet back to our planet this week is the cylindrical entry capsule — or Cosmos 482 — because of the way the vehicle has behaved in orbit. 'It is quite dense, whatever it is, because it had a very low point in its orbit, yet it didn't decay for decades,' said Marlon Sorge, a space debris expert with the federally funded research group, The Aerospace Corporation. 'So it's clearly bowling ball-ish.' And though the Venus probe was equipped with a parachute, the vehicle has been out of service in the harsh environment of space for the past few decades. That means it's highly unlikely that a parachute could deploy at the right time or serve to slow down the vehicle's descent, Sorge and Langbroek told CNN. The chances of Cosmos 482 causing deadly damage is are roughly 1 in 25,000, according to The Aerospace Corporation's calculations, Sorge said. That's a much lower risk than some other pieces of space debris. At least a few defunct rocket parts reenter Earth's atmosphere each year, Sorge noted, and many have carried higher odds of catastrophe. But if the Cosmos 482 object does hit the ground, it is likely to land between 52 degrees North and 52 South latitudes, Langbroek said via email. '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,' Langbroek said. 'But as 70% of our planet is water, chances are good that it will end up in an Ocean somewhere,' Langbroek said via email. 'Yes, there is a risk, but it is small. You have a larger risk of being hit by lightning once in your lifetime.' Sorge emphasized that if Cosmos 482 hits dry land, it's crucial that bystanders do not attempt to touch the debris. The old spacecraft could leak dangerous fuels or pose other risks to people and property. 'Contact the authorities,' Sorge urged. 'Please don't mess with it.' Parker Wishik, a spokesperson for the Aerospace Corporation, added that under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — which remains the primary document outlining international space law — Russia would maintain ownership of any surviving debris and may seek to recover it after landing. And while the global space community has taken steps in recent years to ensure that fewer spacecraft make uncontrolled crash-landings back on Earth, the Cosmos 482 vehicle highlights the importance of continuing those efforts, Wishik added. 'What goes up must come down,' he said. 'We're here talking about it more than 50 years later, which is another proof point for the importance of debris mitigation and making sure we're having that that dialogue (as a space community) because what you put up in space today might affect us for decades to come.'
CNN
05-05-2025
- Science
- CNN
A Soviet-era spacecraft that failed to reach Venus is due to crash back to Earth this week
A piece of a Soviet vehicle that malfunctioned en route to Venus more than 50 years ago is due to crash back to Earth as soon as this week. Much about the piece of space debris, called Cosmos 482 (also spelled Kosmos 482), is unknown. Though most projections estimate that the object will reenter the atmosphere around May 10, unknowns about its exact shape and size — as well as the unpredictability of space weather — make some degree of uncertainty inevitable. It's also unclear which portion of the vehicle is set to reenter, though researchers believe it to be the probe, or 'entry capsule,' which was designed to survive the extreme temperature and pressure of landing on Venus — which has an atmosphere 90 times more dense than Earth's. That means it could survive its unexpected trip back home, posing a small but non-zero risk to people on the ground. While space junk and meteors routinely veer toward a crash-landing on Earth, most of the objects disintegrate as they're torn apart due to friction and pressure as they hit Earth's thick atmosphere while traveling thousands of miles per hour. But if the Cosmos 482 object is indeed a Soviet reentry capsule, it would be equipped with a substantial heat shield, meaning it 'might well survive Earth atmosphere entry and hit the ground,' according to Dr. Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who shared his predictions about Cosmos 482 on his website. The risk of the object hitting people on the ground is likely minimal, and there's 'no need for major concern,' McDowell wrote, 'but you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head.' The Soviet Space Research Institute, or IKI, was formed in the mid-1960s amid the 20th-century space race, which pitted the Soviet Union against its chief space-exploring competitor, the United States. The IKI's Venera program sent a series of probes toward Venus in the 1970s and '80s, with several surviving the trip and beaming data and images back to Earth before ceasing operations. Two spacecraft under that program, V-71 No. 670 and V-71 No. 671, launched in 1972, according to McDowell. But only one made a successful voyage to Venus: V-71 No. 670 operated for about 50 minutes on the planet's surface. V-71 No. 671 did not. A rocket carried the Venera spacecraft into a 'parking orbit' around Earth. However, the vehicle then failed to put itself on a Venus transfer trajectory, leaving it stranded closer to home, according to NASA. Beginning in the 1960s, Soviet vehicles left in Earth's orbit were each given the Cosmos name and a numerical designation for tracking purposes, according to NASA. Several pieces of debris were created from V-71 No. 671's failure. At least two have already fallen out of orbit. But researchers believe the one set to plummet back to our planet this week is the cylindrical entry capsule — or Cosmos 482 — because of the way the vehicle has behaved in orbit. 'It is quite dense, whatever it is, because it had a very low point in its orbit, yet it didn't decay for decades,' said Marlon Sorge, a space debris expert with the federally funded research group, The Aerospace Corporation. 'So it's clearly bowling ball-ish.' And though the Venus probe was equipped with a parachute, the vehicle has been out of service in the harsh environment of space for the past few decades. That means it's highly unlikely that a parachute could deploy at the right time or serve to slow down the vehicle's descent, Sorge and Langbroek told CNN. The chances of Cosmos 482 causing deadly damage is are roughly 1 in 25,000, according to The Aerospace Corporation's calculations, Sorge said. That's a much lower risk than some other pieces of space debris. At least a few defunct rocket parts reenter Earth's atmosphere each year, Sorge noted, and many have carried higher odds of catastrophe. But if the Cosmos 482 object does hit the ground, it is likely to land between 52 degrees North and 52 South latitudes, Langbroek said via email. '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,' Langbroek said. 'But as 70% of our planet is water, chances are good that it will end up in an Ocean somewhere,' Langbroek said via email. 'Yes, there is a risk, but it is small. You have a larger risk of being hit by lightning once in your lifetime.' Sorge emphasized that if Cosmos 482 hits dry land, it's crucial that bystanders do not attempt to touch the debris. The old spacecraft could leak dangerous fuels or pose other risks to people and property. 'Contact the authorities,' Sorge urged. 'Please don't mess with it.' Parker Wishik, a spokesperson for the Aerospace Corporation, added that under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — which remains the primary document outlining international space law — Russia would maintain ownership of any surviving debris and may seek to recover it after landing. And while the global space community has taken steps in recent years to ensure that fewer spacecraft make uncontrolled crash-landings back on Earth, the Cosmos 482 vehicle highlights the importance of continuing those efforts, Wishik added. 'What goes up must come down,' he said. 'We're here talking about it more than 50 years later, which is another proof point for the importance of debris mitigation and making sure we're having that that dialogue (as a space community) because what you put up in space today might affect us for decades to come.'
