A 50-year-old defunct Soviet satellite is set to make a dramatic, uncontrolled descent back to Earth, sparking interest and concern globally.
Kosmos 482, launched in the Cold War era, has lost control and could plummet anywhere between May 8 and 11, 2025, Daily Mail reported.
In 1972, during the space race, the Soviet Union launched Kosmos 482, aiming to conduct exploratory missions on Venus. However, an engine malfunction prevented the spacecraft from leaving Earth's orbit, setting the stage for its prolonged journey circling our planet.
The satellite, consisting mainly of a descent capsule with a sturdy heat shield, was originally designed for a mission on Venus. This design could help it withstand the intense heat of re-entering Earth's atmosphere nearly 53 years later.
Netherlands-based researchers suggest that May 10, 2025, is the most probable date for the spacecraft to reenter Earth's environment. As it does, the capsule will hurtle towards the Earth at speeds reaching 17,000 miles per hour, eventually encased in a glowing fireball created by atmospheric friction.
Upon reentry, the heat shield of Kosmos 482 is expected to protect the capsule long enough to potentially reach the Earth's surface. Since its onboard parachute system, designed for Venus, will not deploy on Earth, the capsule will dramatically decrease in velocity, but is still anticipated to smash into the ground at 100 to 200 miles per hour.
This outcome raises valid concerns over where the capsule might land. Its unpredictable trajectory means it could descend over populated areas or uninhabited regions, a common issue with uncontrolled space objects.
Jonathan McDowell, a prominent astrophysicist, pointed out, "If this were to cause damage—or worse, to hurt someone-something — someone-that would be something that the Russian government would be liable for." The odds are exceedingly slim—a one in 10,000 chance it might strike a person, McDowell estimates.
The incident with Kosmos 482 underscores a broader, escalating issue with space debris. Currently, about 3,000 non-operational satellites orbit Earth, each posing potential future risks similar to this Soviet-era relic.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has identified these inactive satellites as significant hazards, necessitating proactive strategies for mitigation. Ideas such as deploying 'space garbage trucks' to safely remove or redirect this debris are under consideration.
In emphasizing the urgency, McDowell noted, "I think the time has come to start to clean up." This sentiment reflects growing concerns about the sustainability of space activities and the necessity of international cooperation in managing space traffic and debris cleanup effectively.
The public's reaction ranges from curiosity to concern. An incident recalled by Alejandro Otero, who narrowly avoided a similar situation, exclaimed, "It was a tremendous sound. It almost hit my son," highlighting the potential dangers of falling space debris.
However, experts like McDowell urge calm, emphasizing the low risk associated with this event. "You do not have to lose any sleep over this," he assures, mitigating fears with statistical improbability. He continued, elucidating the minimal potential for damage: "It doesn't destroy a city block or anything like that, but if it lands on your house or you, that's not going to be good.
Despite these reassurances, the unpredictability of the capsule's landing site remains a pointed concern. It illustrates the emergent issues related to space debris, the adequacy of existing regulatory frameworks, and the pressing need for global responses to these contemporary challenges
