The Kosmos 482 probe, part of the Soviet Union’s Venera program intended for Venus exploration, has finally reentered Earth’s atmosphere after over 53 years in orbit. The probe crashed into the Indian Ocean on May 10, 2025, at 2:24 a.m. ET. Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, reported that the spacecraft descended harmlessly into the sea, although tracking organizations had varied predictions regarding its landing site.
Images captured by astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project showed Kosmos 482 during one of its last passes over Rome, Italy, just before dawn on the same day. In these striking images, the probe is represented as a dashed trail across the sky. The spacecraft, which measures about 3.3 feet wide and weighs around 1,190 pounds, had been lingering in an elliptical orbit around Earth after a rocket malfunction during its launch in 1972.
Notably, the fate of Kosmos 482 emphasizes the escalating issue of space debris. Currently, there are approximately 14,240 satellites orbiting Earth, with nearly 11,400 of these still operational. This includes a significant number of satellites from SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. With increasing satellite launches, experts predict a rise in the frequency of debris reentry events.
While the risk from any single piece of falling debris causing injury or damage is minimal due to the propensity for most objects to burn up upon reentry, as the volume of space traffic increases, so do the chances of a more destructive encounter. Furthermore, the potential environmental impact of these reentries, including pollution that could affect Earth’s ozone layer and climate, is becoming a growing concern among researchers.
The story of Kosmos 482’s return serves not only as a reminder of the longevity of space missions but also highlights a crucial topic that needs ongoing attention: the management and mitigation of space debris. As we venture deeper into space exploration, it’s hopeful that advancements in technology and policy can address these challenges effectively.