A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, reentered Earth’s atmosphere on Saturday after spending 53 years in orbit following a failed 1972 mission to Venus. Originally stranded due to a rocket malfunction, its titanium-encased spherical lander—built to withstand Venus’s harsh environment—was the final component to fall. The spacecraft’s descent was uncontrolled, and the exact reentry location remains unknown. Scientists had warned some or all of the 495kg lander might survive reentry, though the risk to people was considered minimal. Its durability and unpredictable path drew global attention. Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/10/kosmos-482-soviet-spacecraft-plunges-to-earth?CMP=share_btn_url