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Soviet Venus Probe Cosmos 482 Set for Uncontrolled Earth Re-entry

The Soviet Cosmos 482 probe, launched towards Venus in 1972, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere between May 7-13 in an uncontrolled descent; parts may survive due to its Venus-capable design, though the exact timing and location remain uncertain.

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OtherScienceSpace DebrisSatelliteSoviet SpacecraftCosmos 482Uncontrolled ReentryVenus Probe

NasaUniversidad De Delft

Marco Langbroek

What factors contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the timing and location of the Cosmos 482 re-entry?: Cosmos 482's failed Venus mission resulted in a prolonged Earth orbit. Its eventual re-entry highlights the challenges of space exploration and the unpredictable behavior of aging spacecraft. The probe's titanium casing and parachutes might aid survival, though their functionality after 50 years is questionable.
What are the immediate implications of Cosmos 482's uncontrolled re-entry, considering its potential to reach Earth's surface?: The Soviet Cosmos 482 probe, launched in 1972, is expected to make an uncontrolled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere between May 7 and 13. Designed to withstand Venus's denser atmosphere, parts of the probe may survive re-entry and impact. The uncertainty stems from the unpredictable trajectory and the probe's age.
How might the Cosmos 482 re-entry impact future space exploration strategies, particularly regarding debris management and spacecraft design?: The Cosmos 482 re-entry presents a unique opportunity to study the effects of long-term space exposure on spacecraft materials. The event underscores the need for improved tracking and mitigation strategies for space debris, especially aging satellites. Data gathered could inform future mission designs and debris management.

May 7, 07:17

T. Rex Ancestors Migrated from Asia, Study Finds

A new study uses mathematical modeling and fossil evidence to conclude that Tyrannosaurus rex ancestors migrated from Asia to North America across the Bering Strait around 70 million years ago, experiencing a size increase linked to cooler climates and the extinction of competing predators.

May 6, 13:16

Bolivian 'Zombie' Volcano Shows Activity, but No Imminent Eruption

The Uturuncu volcano in Bolivia, dormant for 250,000 years, exhibits gas release, earthquakes, and ground deformation (up to 1cm annually), attributed to magma-hydrothermal interaction, not imminent eruption, according to a recent study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

May 6, 16:15

Soviet Venus Probe Cosmos 482 Set for Uncontrolled Earth Re-entry

May 5, 16:13

Magnetar Flares: A Significant Source of Gold in the Universe

A study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on April 29 reveals that giant flares from magnetars, highly magnetized neutron stars, contribute up to 10 percent of elements heavier than iron in the galaxy, including gold, formed through rapid neutron capture during starquakes, challenging the previous belief that neutron star collisions were the sole source.