A large piece of a Soviet rocket is set to fall back to Earth in the next few days after spending 53 years in orbit. This chunk, weighing about half a tonne and roughly the size of a car, poses a potential risk as it re-enters the atmosphere.
Astronomers are keeping a close watch. Jonathan McDowell, a scientist from the Smithsonian, explained that while the rocket will be traveling at high speeds, it will slow down significantly by the time it reaches the ground. “It’s still a half-tonne thing falling out of the sky at a couple of hundred miles an hour. That’s going to hurt if it hits you,” he remarked.
The rocket, known as Cosmos 482, was launched in 1972 with the goal of landing on Venus. However, a malfunction in the upper stage of the rocket left it in orbit around Earth instead. Over the years, parts of the rocket have re-entered the atmosphere, but one piece remained, which scientists later identified as the heat-protected capsule intended for Venus.
Marco Langbroek, another astronomer, predicts that this capsule will make its descent around May 10. While the exact landing spot is uncertain, scientists have narrowed it down to a zone between 51 degrees north and 51 degrees south. This means that anyone living in areas from Chile to Scotland should keep an eye out.
Most of the Earth’s surface is ocean, so the likelihood of it hitting someone is low. However, McDowell emphasizes the growing issue of space debris. “It’s getting really crowded out there, and we depend more on satellites every day,” he said. He believes it’s time to take action to clean up space junk.
As the world watches this event unfold, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that come with space exploration.