Read, Watch or Listen

The Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482, launched in 1972 and intended for a Venus mission, will re-enter Earth's atmosphere between May 8th and 12th. Its exact landing location is unknown, potentially spanning a large area around the equator. While some smaller fragments re-entered soon after launch, the main components, a carrier bus and lander probe, remain. Experts speculate that the lander, designed for Venus' atmosphere, might survive re-entry intact, impacting at a speed similar to a large meteorite. The possibility of an impact in an inhabited area, though low, exists, adding a degree of uncertainty.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.