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Replica of the Soviet probe worships 4; In the background, the land (assembly)
Kosmos 482’s burning and uncontrolled end is finally on the horizon. But the fall of the Soviet space probe poses a very small risk – similar to the impact of a meteorite.
For over 50 years, on March 31, 1972, the Soviet Union launched a pair of space probes intended for venus.
While the Venus 8 Successfully arrived at his destination, his sister Kosmos 482 It was not so lucky: a problem in the Soyuz rocket that transported it prevented the probe from the orbit of the earth.
The remains of the probe, inactive for a long time, have since surrounded our planet, recalls the.
According to reveals on his blog the satellite observer and former Dutch archaeologist Marco Langbroekthe reentry of Kosmos 482 in the earthly atmosphere It’s imminent.
Based on calculation models developed by the Aerospace Engineer of Delft University of Technology Dominic DirkxKosmos 482 should start its descent around May 10.
It is difficult to identify at this time at what point on the planet the probe will re -enter the atmosphere, due to the current active phase of the sun and its influence on atmospheric conditions.
Langbroek believes, however entre as latitudes 52N e 52S – Basically anywhere tnorth as the United Kingdom and as south as New Zealand.
According to the Dutch astronomer, in the moments immediately before impact the probe will reach speeds of only about 240 km/h. “With a mass of just under 500 kg and size 1 meterthe risks are similar to those of an impact of meteorite, ”explained Langbroek.
“The risks involved They are not particularly highBut they are not zero, ”added Langbroek.
It is possible that the debris of the Soviet space probe can be set on fire during the atmospheric reentry, butIt is certain that this happens – Precisely due to Original Mission Objectives from the probe.
“As it is a landing module that It was designed to survive to pass through the atmosphere of Venus, It is possible that survive intact reentry through the earth’s atmosphere and reaches the ground intact, ”said Langbroek.
There is also a slight possibility of the parachute of landing of the probe can come in some way to be triggered during its last moments. “But I wouldn’t bet this was still working now,” says Langbroek. “I would assume that, If the probe survives the reentry, it will fall hard“.
