Soviet Venus probe Kosmos 482 reenters Earth after 53 years

A Soviet spacecraft that remained in Earth orbit for over five decades reentered the atmosphere on May 10, 2025, likely disintegrating over the Indian Ocean, according to Russian space authorities and international monitoring agencies. The spacecraft, known as Kosmos 482, was launched in 1972 as part of the Soviet Venera program aimed at exploring Venus. However, a propulsion system failure prevented it from leaving Earth’s orbit.

The descent module, weighing approximately 495 kg and measuring about one meter in diameter, was the last remaining component of the failed mission still in space. According to the European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST), the reentry was uncontrolled, with no intervention from ground operators.

Originally launched on Mar. 31, 1972, Kosmos 482 was designed to endure Venus’ extreme conditions, including surface temperatures exceeding 460°C and atmospheric pressure 93 times that of Earth. This robust design made the spacecraft significantly more durable than typical satellites.

The descent module of Kosmos 482 was designed to survive Venus' extreme surface conditions—where temperatures exceed 460°C and atmospheric pressure is 93 times that of Earth. This made the spacecraft significantly more resilient than typical satellites. 

“The capsule includes a heat shield capable of withstanding orbital reentry friction, which explains its prolonged stay in space,” according to Jonathan McDowell, astrophysicist cited by CNN. 

Specialists have been monitoring the spacecraft’s orbit for decades. Dutch orbital analyst Marco Langbroek estimated the reentry window between May 9 and May 11, with the most likely time being May 10 at 00:42 UTC, plus or minus 19 hours. US Space Command, responsible for tracking global reentries, had not confirmed the precise time and location as of the morning of the reentry.

Due to the module’s durable design, there were concerns about its potential to survive reentry and cause ground impact. “You are much more likely to win the lottery than be struck by a piece of this spacecraft,” said Stijn Lemmens, senior space debris analyst, European Space Agency, speaking to the BBC. Nevertheless, its mass and resilience prompted close monitoring by agencies including ESA and national authorities.

The spacecraft’s reentry was entirely uncontrolled, as systems meant to stabilize or guide it failed to activate. Typically, objects are directed toward unpopulated regions, such as the South Pacific, to minimize risks. In this case, atmospheric drag and orbital decay dictated the descent path of Kosmos 482.