"Doomed Soviet Satellite from 1972 Will Tumble Uncontrollably to Earth Next Week — and It Could Land Almost Anywhere.. AI-Generated.
**Doomed Soviet Satellite from 1972 Will Tumble Uncontrollably to Earth Next Week — and It Could Land Almost Anywhere**
An old Soviet satellite that was launched more than five decades ago is now hurtling uncontrollably toward Earth, a sobering reminder of humanity's complicated relationship with space exploration. The satellite, which is known as **Kosmos 482**, is expected to re-enter the atmosphere of the planet sometime next week. However, the location of its final impact remains largely unknowable, which has raised concerns across the globe. During the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union set out to explore Venus with the launch of Kosmos 482 in 1972. However, the mission failed, leaving the satellite stranded in Earth's orbit. Now, more than 50 years later, the spacecraft that is still standing is about to come crashing back down, which could be dangerous depending on where it lands. ---