Risk of Russian Venus Probe "Cosmos 482 Descent Craft" Falling

No Risk of Collision with the Korean Peninsula,
Space Aviation Agency to Continue Monitoring Orbital Changes

The Space Aviation Agency announced on May 9 that it is monitoring the risk of reentry and potential fall of the Russian Venus probe "Cosmos 482 Descent Craft" as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

The Cosmos 482 Descent Craft is a Soviet-era Venus probe that was launched on March 31, 1972. It is estimated to weigh 485 kg and have a diameter of 1 meter. The descent module became stranded in Earth's orbit due to the early shutdown of the main engine and is now confirmed to be reentering Earth's atmosphere.

Predicted fall trajectory. Provided by the Space Aviation Agency

The Space Aviation Agency has maintained a "concern" level crisis alert and has been monitoring orbital changes in cooperation with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, a space hazard monitoring agency, since April 29, when signs of the probe's fall were first detected.

Based on the orbital analysis by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute as of 9:00 a.m. on May 9, the Space Aviation Agency predicted that the Cosmos 482 Descent Craft is highly likely to fall between 12:00 and 24:00 (Korean time) on May 10. Considering a margin of error of plus or minus six hours from the expected fall time, as verified by the institute's space monitoring equipment, the descent craft's trajectory is not expected to pass over the Korean Peninsula.

Choi Mansoo, Director of the Space Hazard Response Division at the Space Aviation Agency, stated, "Depending on changes in the Cosmos 482 Descent Craft's fall situation, we are planning to lift the crisis alert 'concern' level that has been communicated to relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of National Defense." He added, "We will continue to monitor orbital changes until the final moment of reentry."