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  Kosmos 482: A Soviet Spacecraft Returns to Earth After 50 Years in Orbit Kosmos 482 🛰️ What is Kosmos 482? Kosmos 482 was a Soviet space probe launched on March 31, 1972 , as part of an ambitious mission to land on Venus . Designed to endure the planet’s crushing heat and atmospheric pressure, the spacecraft was a technological marvel of its time. However, a malfunction during launch prevented it from escaping Earth’s gravity. Instead of heading toward Venus, Kosmos 482 became trapped in a high Earth orbit , where it has silently circled the planet for over five decades — until now. 🌍 When Will It Reenter Earth’s Atmosphere? Recent tracking data indicates that Kosmos 482 is on a slow but inevitable descent. Estimated Reentry: Between May 7 and May 13, 2025 Reentry Path: Anywhere between 52° North and 52° South latitude , covering much of the globe Appearance: A bright, slow-moving fireball across the sky — possibly visible during dawn or dusk What makes K...