A Soviet probe launched decades ago toward Venus may soon crash back into Earth

In brief: A space probe that has orbited Earth for over half a century is expected to reenter the atmosphere within the next week. Although the failed lander might impact Earth's surface at least partially intact and at high speed, it has a low chance of hitting a populated area. The Cosmos 482 lander (also known as Kosmos 482) has been in a decaying orbit since the Soviet Union launched the spacecraft in a failed 1972 mission to Venus. Depending on numerous factors like space weather and its angle of approach, the 1,091-pound lander will likely impact the surface of Earth at about 150mph between May 7 and May 13, with May 10 the most likely date. Since the lander was designed to withstand Venus' extremely hot and dense atmosphere, it might reenter Earth's atmosphere without breaking apart. Furthermore, its estimated impact area, between the 52nd parallels north and south, encompasses most of North and South America, all of Africa, and much of Europe and Asia. Still, the probe will m ... Read full article.