Soviet-Era Spacecraft To Return To Earth After 50 Years

Cosmos 482 is now expected to return to Earth sometime through May 13.

A spacecraft that has been in orbit for over 50 years, is returning to Earth’s atmosphere this week.

Soviet spacecraft, Cosmos 482, was intended to be a Venus probe. However, It failed to escape low Earth orbit following its launch in 1972.

The spacecraft separated into four pieces, with two decaying in low Earth orbit within 48 hours and the other two remaining in higher orbit.

It’s believed that a malfunction during the engine burn left the craft unable to reach the velocity needed to escape orbit and reach Venus.

Cosmos 482 is now expected to return to Earth sometime through May 13.