Out of control Soviet satellite will crash on Earth

A Soviet-era satellite that has been drifting in orbit for over 50 years is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere next week—potentially crashing in a populated area.

Kosmos 482, an out-of-control Venus probe, is predicted to fall back to Earth sometime between May 7 and May 13.

British-American astronomer Jonathan McDowell has shared insights into the risks of the impact, noting that the satellite—roughly the size of a car—may survive reentry and reach the surface.

“In which case I expect it'll have the usual one-in-several-thousand chance of hitting someone. The vehicle is dense but inert and has no nuclear materials. No need for major concern, but you wouldn’t want it bashing you on the head,” he wrote in a post.

The Kosmos 482 mission was launched in March 1972 and was intended to deploy a lander toward Venus. However, due to a rocket malfunction, the satellite never escaped Earth's gravitational pull and has been orbiting ever since.

(QG - Source: The Daily Mail — Picture : © Unsplash)