• The Soviet Kosmos 482 spacecraft, intended for a Venus mission, is predicted to reenter Earth's atmosphere in May 2025 after being stranded in orbit since 1972 due to an engine malfunction.
• Experts believe that parts of the spacecraft, designed to withstand Venus' atmosphere, may survive reentry and impact Earth, potentially at a speed of 150 mph.
• The reentry location is uncertain, with a high probability of landing in an ocean, but a small chance of impacting populated areas, raising concerns about potential damage.

The Kosmos 482, a Soviet spacecraft launched in 1972 as part of the Venera program to explore Venus, is set to reenter Earth's atmosphere. Due to a malfunction during launch, the spacecraft failed to leave Earth orbit and has remained there for over five decades. The impending reentry poses a minimal but non-zero risk of impact on populated areas. Experts are closely monitoring the situation to determine the exact reentry time and location. The craft's design, intended to withstand the harsh Venusian atmosphere, increases the possibility of surviving reentry and impacting the surface intact.

• What: The reentry of Kosmos 482, a Soviet Venus probe, into Earth's atmosphere after a failed mission in 1972.
• Who: Soviet scientists, NASA, Jonathan McDowell (astronomer), Marco Langbroek (space situational awareness expert), Ralf Vandebergh (satellite tracker)
• When: Launched in 1972, expected reentry around May 10, 2025 (plus or minus a few days).
• Where: Reentry location is uncertain, but potential impact zone ranges from 52 degrees north to 52 degrees south latitude.

The reentry of Kosmos 482 highlights the challenges and potential risks associated with space missions and space debris. The spacecraft's prolonged presence in Earth orbit and its eventual uncontrolled reentry raise concerns about the safety of populated areas. The uncertainty surrounding the exact reentry location and the possibility of surviving components reaching the ground underscore the need for continued monitoring and mitigation efforts to address the growing problem of space debris.

"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,"

"As this is a lander that was designed to survive passage through the Venus atmosphere, it is possible that it will survive reentry through the Earth atmosphere intact, and impact intact,"

The reentry of Kosmos 482, a remnant of early Soviet space endeavors, serves as a potent reminder of the challenges and enduring consequences of space exploration. Originally intended for Venus, the failed mission has resulted in a 500 kg lander module predicted to reenter Earth's atmosphere around May 10, 2025. While the risk to populated areas is considered low, the potential for the lander to remain largely intact due to its robust, Venus-mission design raises concerns about potential damage upon impact. This event underscores the growing urgency for international collaboration in mitigating space debris and developing advanced tracking and prediction technologies. As the frequency of uncontrolled reentries increases with the growing number of objects in low Earth orbit, Kosmos 482 highlights the need for improved debris management strategies and adherence to existing mitigation guidelines to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities. The potential for such incidents also calls for a reevaluation of spacecraft design and reentry protocols to minimize risks associated with future reentries.