- A failed Soviet Kosmos 482 mission from 1972, originally meant to land on Venus, is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere soon.
- Unlike most space debris that burns up, this piece is the Venus descent module, built with a tough titanium heat shield and structure designed for Venus's extreme conditions, giving it a high chance of surviving reentry.
- Experts say it's "highly likely" the module will reach the surface intact, despite being half a ton.
- The exact time and location of reentry are still uncertain, but it will occur somewhere between 52 degrees North and South latitude.
- Track the predicted landing zone here: https://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience...venera-venus-lander-cosmos-482-descent-craft/
- Despite the potential for pieces to reach the ground, the risk of it hitting any specific person is extremely low – much less than being struck by lightning. (And if you do find it, don't touch it and call authorities, as Russia still owns it.)
Current projections look like a coastal Aussie impact.
