Kosmos 482, a Soviet spacecraft launched in 1972, is due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere after 52 years in orbit. London is one of 26 cities identified as potentially in the spacecraft’s re-entry path. Other cities on the list include Algiers, Durban, Hiroshima, and Bucharest. The re-entry, expected around 08:34 BST on May 10, could occur anywhere within a broad band of latitudes between 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south.
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The spacecraft was originally intended for a mission to Venus but failed to reach its target due to a malfunction that caused it to break into four pieces. While three of the pieces fell to Earth within a decade, the final part, a 500kg landing capsule, has continued to orbit the planet for the past 53 years. This capsule, with a diameter of 3ft, is now heading back to Earth, though the exact landing spot remains uncertain.
Experts, including Dr Marco Langbroek, an astronomer at the Delft University of Technology, have calculated the possible locations for Kosmos 482’s impact. The capsule could land anywhere between the latitudes of 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south, covering a large area that includes cities such as London, Brussels, and Budapest. Despite the potential risks, the capsule is more likely to fall into one of the Earth’s oceans, which cover 71 per cent of the planet’s surface.
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As the capsule approaches re-entry, it is unlikely that the parachute system will function, and the heat shield may also fail. Should the capsule remain intact, it could hit the Earth at a speed of around 150mph. However, experts believe that a failure of the heat shield would ensure the object burns up upon entry. There are ways to track Kosmos 482, and space enthusiasts can monitor the re-entry using tools like n2yo. Although the risk of harm is minimal, the event serves as a reminder of the millions of pieces of space debris still orbiting Earth.
