Soviet Probe on an Unplanned Earth Re-entry!
Spacecraft from the Soviet era is predicted to collide with Earth this coming Saturday.
Are you ready for a space-History twist? Prepare for a fascinating encounter with a relic from the past this weekend! A Soviet probe, initially aimed at exploring Venus in 1972, is due to crash back to Earth on Saturday!
European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the impending re-entry of the infamous Kosmos-482 probe's capsule. The anticipated impact is scheduled for this coming Saturday, with the exact location remaining a mystery until closer to the event.
Fear not, folks! The risk of any injuries due to this cosmic event is significantly low, according to the ESA experts. The probe, crafted with tough materials, might just make it through the re-entry process, surviving the fall intact rather than disintegrating in the atmosphere. Interestingly, the probe was designed to endure entry into Venus' extreme atmosphere, lending a hand to its chances of surviving the Earth's re-entry!
Remember the good old days of the Soviet Union's Venus exploration marathon? They launched several probes towards Venus between 1961 and 1983, aiming to unravel the mysteries of the blistering planet through the Venera program. Tragically, Kosmos 482, originally planned for a controlled landing on Venus, was afflicted by a launch vehicle mishap, confining the entry capsule to an elliptical Earth orbit. Until now, the remainder of the spacecraft has burned up, leaving only the capsule to complete its destiny.
What about our beloved Hubble Telescope? It has captured spectacular views into the cosmos for the past 35 years!
Kosmos-482 is powered by batteries and comes equipped with sensors to measure parameters such as temperature, pressure, density, and more. Initially, it was designed with a parachute to slow down its landing on Venus. Observations hint that the parachute might have already been deployed for its impending Earth re-entry.
Marks your calendars! The ESA announced a re-entry window spanning late evening May 9 to early morning May 10, with a time uncertainty of around 4-5 hours. Tracking organizations are diligently working to provide more accurate forecasts as we near the big event!
References:
- ntv.de
- mli/dpa
- 1: SpaceNews.com
- 2: Slooh.com
- 3: Europa Space Agency
- 4: Kayhan Space
- The impending re-entry of the infamous Kosmos-482 probe's capsule, initially aimed at exploring Venus in 1972, is severely impacting the community policy regarding unexpected space objects falling to Earth.
- The European Space Agency (ESA) has revealed that the Kosmos-482 probe, which was originally intended for an employment in Venus exploration, is equipped with sensors, similar to those used in current space-and-astronomy probes, to measure various parameters.
- In light of the re-entry of the Kosmos-482 probe, technology enthusiasts have started discussions on Whatsapp groups, sharing updates and theories about the potential impact on our planet.
- The upcoming re-entry of the Kosmos-482 probe represents a kilogram of space history, reminding us of the significant efforts in the field of space-and-astronomy during the days of the Soviet Union's Venus exploration, much like how we reminisce about the achievements of the Hubble Telescope.
