### A Historic Return: Soviet-Era Cosmos-482 Crashes After 53 Years in Orbit The Kosmos-482 spacecraft, launched by the Soviet Union in 1972 as part of a mission to Venus, has made a dramatic return to Earth after spending over five decades in orbit. The spacecraft, which became stranded due to a rocket malfunction shortly after its launch, re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on May 10, 2025, and is reported to have crashed into the Indian Ocean. This event has been closely monitored by various space agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union's Space Surveillance and Tracking network, highlighting the ongoing interest in space debris and its implications for Earth [https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/soviet-era-cosmos-482-crashes-over-indian-ocean-after-half-a-century-in-space-2723032-2025-05-11]. ### Breakdown of the Event: Key Segments 1. **Launch and Mission Background** - Kosmos-482 was launched on March 31, 1972, with the intention of landing on Venus. - The spacecraft became stranded in Earth's orbit due to a premature shutdown of one of its rocket boosters [https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/wayward-soviet-craft-falls-in-indian-ocean-after-looping-through-space-for-53-years-prnt/cid/2098643]. 2. **Re-Entry and Crash Details** - The spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere on May 10, 2025, at approximately 9:24 a.m. Moscow time. - It was confirmed by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, that the spacecraft landed in the Indian Ocean, although some experts expressed uncertainty about the exact location [https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-05-10/soviet-era-spacecraft-plunges-to-earth-after-53-years-stuck-in-orbit]. 3. **Monitoring and Safety Concerns** - The re-entry was monitored by multiple space agencies, including ESA and the EU's Space Surveillance and Tracking network, to assess potential risks associated with space debris [https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/europe/380964/soviet-era-spacecraft-plunges-to-earth-after-53]. - Fortunately, the crash did not result in any reported harm or damage, alleviating concerns about debris impacting populated areas [https://www.rt.com/russia/617346-ussr-spacecraft-falls-ocean]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Timeline of Events:** - **1972:** Kosmos-482 launched by the Soviet Union. - **2025:** Uncontrolled re-entry and crash into the Indian Ocean. - **Key Metrics:** - Duration in orbit: **53 years** - Weight of spacecraft: **Approximately half a ton** - **Monitoring Agencies:** - European Space Agency (ESA) - European Union's Space Surveillance and Tracking network - Roscosmos (Russian Space Agency) ### Conclusion: A Significant Milestone in Space History The re-entry of Kosmos-482 marks the end of a significant chapter in space exploration, illustrating both the challenges of early space missions and the ongoing concerns regarding space debris. The following points summarize the key findings: 1. **Historical Context:** Kosmos-482 was intended for a Venus mission but became stranded in orbit due to a malfunction. 2. **Re-Entry Confirmation:** The spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere on May 10, 2025, and crashed into the Indian Ocean. 3. **Safety Monitoring:** The event was closely monitored by international space agencies, ensuring no harm was caused by the re-entry. This incident serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of early space missions and the importance of monitoring space debris to protect our planet [https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/05/10/soviet-spacecraft-crashes-to-earth-53-years-after-launch---what-to-know].