Spaceship that has been in Earth's orbit for 53 years may have entered Earth's atmosphere | Gizmodo Japan
Wreckage left behind in space for 53 years heads to Earth. A space lander that has been stuck in low Earth orbit for 53 years is expected to enter Earth's atmosphere within the next few weeks. The probe is designed to withstand extreme heat, so there is a possibility that some parts that do not burn up during atmospheric entry may collide with Earth. It's designed to be heat-resistant, so it will arrive without burning up! Marco Langbroek, a satellite tracker in the Netherlands, has recorded the landing of a former Soviet spacecraft.
Did you know that a spacecraft left behind in space has been orbiting the Earth for over half a century? There is a rumor that the remains of the Venus probe "Cosmos 1972," launched by the former Soviet Union in 482, may re-enter the atmosphere and fall to Earth in May 2025.
Why is it falling now? And how do we deal with the ever-increasing amount of space debris? Let's take a look at the challenges facing space development, along with the latest technologies that Japanese companies are taking on.
What is Cosmos 482? A spaceship that has been drifting for half a century
Cosmos 482 is a spacecraft launched by the former Soviet Union in 1972 to explore Venus. However, a malfunction occurred in the rocket's engine, and it was unable to enter an orbit for Venus. As a result, Cosmos 482 ended up drifting in Earth's orbit, and although some of the debris burned up in the atmosphere, the lander and the upper stage of the rocket are still orbiting the Earth.
What are the risks of falling to Earth? Current safety status
The risk of spacecraft debris falling to Earth is actually considered very low, because about 7% of the Earth's surface is ocean, and most objects would burn up due to the high temperatures when entering the atmosphere.
However, the Cosmos 482 lander has a very sturdy structure designed for Venus exploration, and it cannot be denied that some of it may fall to the ground. Even so, the probability of human casualties is said to be at the same level as a meteorite impact.
Are spacecraft and rocket crashes not uncommon?
In fact, there have been cases in the past where debris from spacecraft and rockets has fallen to Earth.
For example, in 1979, the American space station Skylab fell into western Australia. In 2020, parts of China's large rocket Long March 5B fell into Africa and the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, in 2024, a part discarded from the International Space Station fell on a house in Florida, USA. In all cases, there were few human casualties and the impact was limited.
Increasing Space Junk and Japan's Technological Innovation
Space debris refers to unwanted objects floating around the Earth, such as fragments of outdated artificial satellites and rockets. As the amount of space debris continues to increase, the risk of collisions with active artificial satellites and space stations increases, posing a major obstacle to space development.
Astroscale, a Japanese space venture, will launch a satellite called ADRAS-J in 2024 and successfully conduct the world's first experiment to safely approach and observe space debris.
In the future, we aim to put into practical use technology that can actually capture and remove debris. In addition, Orbital Lasers is researching new technology that can control the movement of debris with laser light and remove it from orbit. JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is also working with private companies on a demonstration project to combat space debris.
Space debris falling to Earth becomes a reality
In March 2024, a discarded part from the International Space Station fell on a house in the United States. As such news increases, interest in the space debris problem and the need for measures to address it are growing.
My Feelings, Then and Now
- Cosmos 482 was launched to explore Venus but was left behind in Earth orbit.
- Due to the heat-resistant structure of the lander, there is a possibility that parts of it may fall to the ground.
- There have been cases in the past where spacecraft and rockets have fallen to Earth, but the number of casualties has been extremely low.
- Japanese companies have developed cutting-edge space debris removal technology and are currently conducting demonstration experiments
Space development and space debris countermeasures require huge amounts of money and advanced technology. The efforts of Japanese companies to tackle these challenges will be the driving force behind the creation of new industries. In the future, it is expected that new space-related jobs, such as space debris removal services and risk assessment businesses, will increase.
We encourage you to research and think about the impact space technology will have on society and the economy. The future of space will be further expanded by your interest and curiosity.