#Spacedebris

A long-lost fragment of the Soviet Union’s deep-space ambitions has resurfaced in the news, as experts confirm that a probe launched over 50 years ago is expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere in May 2025—drawing the attention of scientists, policymakers, and the public alike. This remarkable event serves as both a testament to the durability of Cold War-era technology and a reminder of the growing issue of space debris as nations continue to reach for the stars.

A long-lost fragment from the Soviet era is set to make a high-stakes return to Earth in May 2025. Experts say the descent module from a Venus-bound mission launched in 1972 may re-enter the atmosphere, reigniting discussions about space debris, international coordination, and the future of Thailand’s growing space interests.

The object in question is widely believed to be the descent capsule of Kosmos 482, a Soviet mission launched in March 1972 intended to reach Venus. The mission was to follow the successful Venera-8, which briefly endured Venus’s extreme conditions. Kosmos 482 never left Earth orbit, likely due to an early engine shutdown, turning what could have been a landmark Venus mission into a footnote in space history. Since then, small fragments have drifted in orbit, with several pieces re-entering the atmosphere in the 1980s. One object, designated 1972-023E and roughly the size of a descent sphere, has persisted in low Earth orbit for decades. Space researchers note that both American and Russian tracking agencies have treated 1972-023E as the most probable relic of the original descent module.