Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Venera 8 artwork.
Image Credit: NPO Lavochkin

That soon-to-reenter Cosmos 482 is getting increased attention by satellite trackers – and new imagery provides some interesting details.

The former Soviet Union’s Cosmos 482 was lofted back in 1972. But that country’s attempted Venus probe ran amuck during its rocket-assisted toss to the cloud-veiled world.

Image credit: Ralf Vandebergh

Payload leftovers that were marooned in Earth orbit, specifically the spacecraft’s lander module/capsule, were intended to parachute onto the hellish landscape of Venus.

The question is whether or not that module/capsule will remain intact and make it through Earth’s atmosphere to reach the surface?

For more details on what’s being seen prior to the probe’s nose-dive to Earth, go to my new Space.com story — New images of Soviet Venus lander falling to Earth suggest its parachute may be out – at:

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/new-images-of-soviet-venus-lander-falling-to-earth-suggest-its-parachute-may-be-out

Venera 8 was one of a pair of Venus atmospheric lander probes designed for the spring 1972 launch window. The other mission, Cosmos 482, failed to leave Earth orbit.
Image credit: Hall of Venus/NPO Lavochkin