Experts Warn 1,000lb Spacecraft Could Crash Into Earth This Week

Scientists are sounding the alarm over a 1,000-pound spacecraft that’s expected to crash back to Earth sometime this week, and there’s a chance it could do some serious damage.

Now, while the odds of it actually hitting someone are incredibly low, they aren’t zero either. And that tiny risk has still gotten people’s attention.

Thankfully, with the tech we have today, experts are much better equipped to track objects like this and predict when and where they might come down. That helps keep everyone a little more prepared.

The Kosmos 482 satellite was launched by the Soviet Union in March 1972 as part of a mission to collect information from the surface of Venus.

But things didn’t go according to plan. A malfunction in the engine meant the satellite couldn’t break free from Earth’s gravity. Most of the satellite ended up burning up in Earth’s atmosphere when it fell back in 1981.

However, experts say the remaining part of this 53-year-old spacecraft is finally on its way down and could reenter our atmosphere very soon.

Experts have issued a warning Getty Stock Image

When and where could Kosmos 482 hit Earth?

Scientists expect Kosmos 482 to make its way back through our atmosphere sometime between May 8 and May 11. As the days go by, they hope to narrow down the exact timing with more certainty.

According to Earthsky.org, predicting the exact reentry point is extremely tricky. There are just too many variables involved.

What they do know is the satellite could land somewhere between 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south latitude. That huge range makes an ocean landing the most likely outcome.

What have experts said about Kosmos 482?

Dr. Marco Langbroek, who studies spy satellites at the SatTrackCam Leiden station in the Netherlands, believes reentry will likely happen between May 7 and May 13.

He explained: "The risks involved are not particularly high, but not zero: with a mass of just under 500 kg and 1-meter size, risks are somewhat similar to that of a meteorite impact."

Over in the UK, British-American astronomer Jonathan McDowell shared in his blog: "I am moderately confident, but not 100 percent confident, that object 6073 is the Kosmos-482 entry capsule."

A replica of the satellite set to crash down to Earth Planet 4589

"If it is, its heat shield means that the half-ton, one-metre-diameter sphere might well survive Earth atmosphere entry and hit the ground."

"In which case I expect it'll have the usual one-in-several-thousand chance of hitting someone. The vehicle is dense but inert and has no nuclear materials. No need for major concern, but you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head."

Speaking to MailOnline, McDowell added that if Kosmos 482 actually hit someone or damaged something, responsibility would fall on the Russian government.

It’s also been mentioned that the satellite was originally equipped with a parachute system to help slow its descent.

But the chance of that system working now is believed to be quite slim.