Report Soviet Spacecraft Set to Re-enter Earth: Thailand's Minimal Risk

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of GISTDA Facebook

 

A dormant Soviet spacecraft, Cosmos 482, which has been orbiting Earth since 1972, is expected to re-enter the atmosphere imminently, prompting cautious vigilance from space agencies worldwide. Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) issued an alert regarding the spacecraft's anticipated descent, scheduled for May 10 around 6.56pm local time.

 

The 53-year-old spacecraft, originally launched in a 1972 mission aimed at reaching Venus, failed to escape Earth's gravitational pull and has since remained in low Earth orbit. Currently at an altitude of 138 kilometres, the relic's re-entry trajectory points towards a likely impact within Canadian territory, although GISTDA warns that more accurate predictions can only occur once it descends below 130 kilometres.

 

While the statistical likelihood of debris falling on Thailand is a minuscule 0.001%, GISTDA reassures citizens that they are monitoring the situation continuously through their ZIRCON tracking system and are prepared for any contingency. "We are monitoring potential high-risk areas 24/7 and will continue to provide real-time updates," the agency stated.

 

The spacecraft's lander module, weighing approximately 495 kilogrammes, remains a considerable chunk of the object due to re-enter. Marco Langbroek, an expert in space traffic at Delft Technical University, remarks on the uncertainty of the lander's fate upon re-entry. "There is a chance that the lander may not fully disintegrate and could reach the Earth’s surface," though he maintains the probability of this occurrence being hazardous is extremely low, akin to the odds of being hit by a meteorite.

 

As Cosmos 482 hurtles back to Earth, the event underlines growing concerns about space debris and its management. Experts agree that such incidents may become more frequent as Earth's orbit becomes more congested with defunct satellites and space remnants.

 

For now, GISTDA advises the public to stay informed but composed amid this celestial phenomenon, encouraging awareness rather than alarm. Eyes remain on the skies, albeit with an understanding of the unlikely odds of any significant impact within Thailand.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-09

 

 

[johng]

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The 53-year-old spacecraft, originally launched in a 1972 mission aimed at reaching Venus, failed to escape Earth's gravitational pull and has since remained in low Earth orbit.

 

Would be  "nice" if they mentioned that the Soviets did actually manage to land  more than one craft on Venus and send images back  the only country ever to achieve such a task.