1970s Soviet probe set to return to Earth in May 2025
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Introduction:
The news topic “1970s Soviet probe set to return to Earth in May 2025” has drawn international attention, with various media outlets providing diverse insights, historical context, political stances, and on-the-ground developments. Below is a curated overview of how different countries and media organizations have covered this topic recently.
Quick Summary:
- A Soviet probe launched more than half a century ago is due to return to Earth in the next week or two. There’s every chance that the vehicle will make it all the way to our planet’s surface. Kosmos 482 launched in March 1972 from Baikonur on top of a Molniya rocket with the intention of getting to the harsh alien world. Just days earlier, a Soviet Venera-8 probe had blasted off, and its descent module ultimately made it to the surface of Venus and survived for 50 minutes. The object in question is likely to be the entry capsule of a failed Soviet mission to Venus, as well as a rocket stage and debris from the failed mission. It’s understood that Kosmos 42 included a Veneran-8-like descent module, which would make the object a key component of the mission’s mission.
- Soviet-era Kosmos 482 spacecraft set to reenter Earth after 50 years in orbit. Part of a 1972 mission to Venus, the spacecraft was unable to escape Earth’s gravity when its rocket failed. The precise place of landing is unclear, but specialists forecast the event might take place on May 10, posing little danger to humans. However, experts warn any attempt to identify a spot landing at this point would be premature as orbital decay intensifies and cannot be predicted accurately as to when and where exactly reentry will happen. It is only in the last hours—or minutes—prior to reentry that it is possible to predict when the spacecraft will hit Earth’s atmosphere. The demise of the spacecraft concludes an era of relics of the Cold War period, with most of them crashing to Earth within a few years of their launch.
- The Soviet Union launched the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 in 1972, one of a series of Venus missions. But it never made it out of Earth orbit because of a rocket malfunction. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek predicts the failed spacecraft will re-enter about 10 May. He estimates it will come crashing in at 150mph (242km/h), if it remains intact. The chance of the spacecraft actually hitting someone or something is small, he added, but ‘it cannot be completely excluded’ The 1,000lb-plus (nearly 500kg) spacecraft will survive re-entry. It was built to withstand a descent through the carbon dioxide-thick atmosphere of Venus. It has been circling the world in a highly elliptical orbit for the past 53 years, gradually dropping in altitude. Experts doubt the parachute system would work after so many years. The heat shield may also be compromised after so long in orbit.
Country-by-Country Breakdown:
Original Coverage
A Soviet probe launched more than half a century ago is due to return to Earth in the next week or two. There’s every chance that the vehicle will make it all the way to our planet’s surface. Kosmos 482 launched in March 1972 from Baikonur on top of a Molniya rocket with the intention of getting to the harsh alien world. Just days earlier, a Soviet Venera-8 probe had blasted off, and its descent module ultimately made it to the surface of Venus and survived for 50 minutes. The object in question is likely to be the entry capsule of a failed Soviet mission to Venus, as well as a rocket stage and debris from the failed mission. It’s understood that Kosmos 42 included a Veneran-8-like descent module, which would make the object a key component of the mission’s mission. Read full article
Soviet-era spacecraft to reenter Earth’s orbit this month after 50 years could result in disaster – should we be concerned
Soviet-era Kosmos 482 spacecraft set to reenter Earth after 50 years in orbit. Part of a 1972 mission to Venus, the spacecraft was unable to escape Earth’s gravity when its rocket failed. The precise place of landing is unclear, but specialists forecast the event might take place on May 10, posing little danger to humans. However, experts warn any attempt to identify a spot landing at this point would be premature as orbital decay intensifies and cannot be predicted accurately as to when and where exactly reentry will happen. It is only in the last hours—or minutes—prior to reentry that it is possible to predict when the spacecraft will hit Earth’s atmosphere. The demise of the spacecraft concludes an era of relics of the Cold War period, with most of them crashing to Earth within a few years of their launch. Read full article
Soviet-era spacecraft expected to plunge uncontrolled to Earth next week
The Soviet Union launched the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 in 1972, one of a series of Venus missions. But it never made it out of Earth orbit because of a rocket malfunction. Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek predicts the failed spacecraft will re-enter about 10 May. He estimates it will come crashing in at 150mph (242km/h), if it remains intact. The chance of the spacecraft actually hitting someone or something is small, he added, but ‘it cannot be completely excluded’ The 1,000lb-plus (nearly 500kg) spacecraft will survive re-entry. It was built to withstand a descent through the carbon dioxide-thick atmosphere of Venus. It has been circling the world in a highly elliptical orbit for the past 53 years, gradually dropping in altitude. Experts doubt the parachute system would work after so many years. The heat shield may also be compromised after so long in orbit. Read full article
A defunct Soviet probe from the 70s will crash to Earth next week
A failed Soviet spacecraft will make an uncontrolled re-entry into the planet’s atmosphere. Launched in 1972, the Kosmos 482 mission was intended to land on Venus but a malfunction during its launch meant that the spacecraft never made it out of Earth’s orbit. It’s not known exactly when or where the object will fall, or exactly how much material will survive the plunge through Earth’s atmosphere. But experts agree that though there is some small risk, regular people needn’t be worried about it. The likelihood of a person being injured or killed by falling debris is extremely low, though it is possible to damage or kill a house or a car in the event of an accident. The probe was designed to survive the extremely high temperatures and crushing pressures of the Venus atmosphere, so it is likely that the debris could survive. Read full article
Global Perspectives Summary:
Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Sources:
- Original Article
- Soviet-era spacecraft to reenter Earth’s orbit this month after 50 years could result in disaster – should we be concerned
- Soviet-era spacecraft expected to plunge uncontrolled to Earth next week
- A defunct Soviet probe from the 70s will crash to Earth next week
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/03/soviet_probe_from_1972_set/