Failed Russian Venus probe could crash back to Earth this year
- 5 years ago
SPACE — A failed 1970s Russian Venus probe which has been trapped in Earth orbit could crash back into the planet this year.
According to Space.com, the Cosmos 482 Venus probe was launched on March 31, 1972, but due to a rocket malfunction, failed to escape Earth's orbit.
A large portion of the failed spacecraft still remains in orbit today as space junk, but according to experts could fall back to Earth this year.
According to Don Mitchell, who studies Soviet space history talking to Space.com, when the Cosmos 482 mission failed, a heavy frame of tanks and equipment were jettisoned from the probe and burned up in Earth's atmosphere.
However, the Cosmos 482 Venus entry capsule is still adrift, orbiting the Earth every 112 minutes. The lander mass is 1,091 pounds (495 kilograms) and is equipped with significant thermal protection.
According to satellite watcher Thomas Dorman talking to Space.com, the failed probe could fall back to Earth this year or mid next year.
According to Space.com, previous estimates had the probe falling between 2023 and 2025.
According to Space.com, the Cosmos 482 Venus probe was launched on March 31, 1972, but due to a rocket malfunction, failed to escape Earth's orbit.
A large portion of the failed spacecraft still remains in orbit today as space junk, but according to experts could fall back to Earth this year.
According to Don Mitchell, who studies Soviet space history talking to Space.com, when the Cosmos 482 mission failed, a heavy frame of tanks and equipment were jettisoned from the probe and burned up in Earth's atmosphere.
However, the Cosmos 482 Venus entry capsule is still adrift, orbiting the Earth every 112 minutes. The lander mass is 1,091 pounds (495 kilograms) and is equipped with significant thermal protection.
According to satellite watcher Thomas Dorman talking to Space.com, the failed probe could fall back to Earth this year or mid next year.
According to Space.com, previous estimates had the probe falling between 2023 and 2025.