We are in the window when #Cosmos482 is expected to re-enter. It should reenter in the next orbit or two. Currently the most likely land area is Europe, S Asia or Australia. Unfortunately that would make it in the daylight side so might be more difficult to see.
The lowest point for now is 120km. Pretty close!
https://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=6073&lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=UCT
So, I guess I should alert my nephew in Geraldton to maybe duck for cover.
@AkaSci is there any chance of the reentry beeing visible by the naked eye? eg will it created plasma on reentry like shuttle or asteroids do? #Cosmos482
Live tracking of the Soviet Cosmos 482 Descent Craft that was destined for Venus but failed and has been in a decaying Earth orbit since 1972. It is losing altitude pretty quickly now--over the US! [Oops , correction, over Africa .] https://www.n2yo.com/?s=6073&live=1
Reentry prediction Soviet-era Venera Venus lander (Cosmos-482 descent craft).
https://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/2025/05/07/reentry-prediction-soviet-era-venera-venus-lander-cosmos-482-descent-craft/
#cosmos482 #esa #reentry #space
Well this could be awkward, the latest ESA prediction (thanks @ai6yr) of the reentry of Cosmos-482 puts its track pretty close to the Murchison Radio Observatory in the WA outback.
ESA: https://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/2025/05/07/reentry-prediction-soviet-era-venera-venus-lander-cosmos-482-descent-craft/
MRO: https://virtualtours-external.csiro.au/MRO/
#cosmos482 #astronomy #Australia
EU's predicted landing possibilities for Kosmos 482 getting smaller
"Status 09 May 19:15 CEST
ESA’s Space Debris Office currently predicts that the reentry of the descent craft will take place at:
06:37 UTC (08:37 CEST) on 10 May 2025
The uncertainty in this prediction is now +/- 3.28 hours."
A large piece of old Soviet space junk probably just flew overhead!
Current reentry is *no longer* expected over Vancouver Island, at least according to this site:
https://aerospace.org/reentries/6073
Uncertainty for the predicted reentry time has narrowed to 10:54PM Friday plus or minus 4 hours with the highest probability somewhere over the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans.
#Cosmos482 #SpaceJunk #venera
Imagery: https://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=6073&lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=UCT
The Russian, nee Soviet, once Venusian-bound space junk known as Cosmos 482 will fly somewhat overhead here at about 5:30 AM if I want to watch. After that, its passes are marginally visible.
If it hits an urban area, it's going to leave a nasty scar. That's 1000 pounds of metal with a heat shield allegedly designed to withstand atmospheric entry and landing on Venus. If it performs as advertised, it has a very good chance of landing intact.
Arguing against its landing intact, the Soviets lied like a Trump. There may have been mistakes in design we won't know about until it either remains intact, or breaks up on reentry. The heat shield may have broken down somewhat over the years.
It might hit a Starlink satellite. Unlikely, but possible. Symbolism for our time.
It might hit Elon's orbiting Tesla. Oh, please. Send them both careening into the sun.
It has a reasonable chance of landing intact. If it lands near you, don't touch that thing!! You have no idea where Cosmos 482 has been, or what it's made of, or if it's radioactive, or if it's leaking anything toxic. Leave it to the exp...
Oh, jeez. The experts were all Trump-fired. If it lands in North America, the "experts" will be Elon's minions driving a rented U-Haul.
Still, it's better that they get toxic radioactive space poisoning than you. Don't touch!!!
It's coming down in the next couple of days. Keep looking up!