Doomed launch, lingering threat
Launched on March 31, 1972, the mission attempted to deliver a lander to Venus. However, the spacecraft failed to escape Earth’s orbit due to a premature shutdown of its Blok L upper stage, attributed to an incorrectly set timer. Consequently, it was designated as “Kosmos 482,” a common practice for Soviet missions that remained in Earth orbit.​

The spacecraft split into four pieces after launch, with two smaller fragments reentering the atmosphere and falling over Ashburton, New Zealand, just two days later. The descent module, weighing approximately 1,091 pound has been orbiting Earth since the mission’s failure.

Considering its mass, “risks are similar to that of a meteorite impact,” Langbroek wrote.