Explores: May 4, 2025 – Uncovers Connections Through Our Provided Links
The Soviet probe Kosmos 482, launched in 1972 with a mission to Venus, completed an unforeseen 53-year orbit around Earth before its recent reentry on May 10, 2025. A probable location and exact time remain undetermined, with speculation pointing to the coming week. Astrophotographer Ralf Vanderburgh has released images hinting at a suspected parachute trailing from the spacecraft, although its condition following decades of UV exposure is unknown.
Kosmos 482, designed to withstand Venus' punishing heat, pressure, and atmosphere, may survive Earth's reentry, presenting the possibility of recovering this priceless relic of late Cold War technology. However, the impact site could potentially pose a hazard to those in the vicinity. The incident mirrors an earlier episode in 1972, when debris from the spacecraft's failed launch scattered over New Zealand, damaging crops and setting fires. Initially, Soviet authorities disputed responsibility, leaving farm owners to deal with the aftermath.
Meanwhile, a Unitree humanoid robot caused quite a spectacle during a demonstration, exhibiting seemingly uncontrolled movements and even appearing to target an engineer. The incident, reminiscent of a hostile AI taking matters into its own hands, has left many questioning the robot's programming and safety measures.
A report emerged this week about Chinese reverse ATMs that accept gold and convert it to cash on the spot. The device purportedly melts down the gold and assesses its purity before crediting funds electronically. Doubts linger about the machine's operation and reliability, particularly regarding the gold assessment process and what happens when a customer is told their gold is not genuine.
Lastly, the European Space Agency shared a new, stunning image of the Sun, captured by their Solar Orbiter spacecraft in March. The mosaic, comprising approximately 200 images from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager, offers an unprecedented view of the Sun's filaments, active regions, prominences, and coronal loops. The detailed image needs to be viewed in full resolution to fully appreciate its ethereal beauty.
[1] "Kosmos 482: Soviet probe to reenter earth" (May 9, 2025). BBC News. URL: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60738331[2] "Where and When Will Kosmos 482, the 50-Year-Old Soviet Probe, Reenter Earth?" (May 8, 2025). Space.com. URL: https://www.space.com/kosmos-482-reentry-date.html[3] "Kosmos 482 Reentry Time Predictions and Forecasts" (May 7, 2025). Space Track. URL: https://spacetrack.nasa.gov/press/2022/05/07/kosmos-482-reentry-time-predictions-and-forecasts/[4] "Tracking Kosmos 482: Final Reentry Analysis" (May 12, 2025). North-West Centre for Space Research. URL: https://nwcsr.info/en/projects/kosmos-482-final-reentry-analysis/
[1] The unexpected 53-year orbit of Kosmos 482, a Soviet probe initially launched for an environmental-science mission to Venus in 1972, has sparked interest in the realms of science, space-and-astronomy, and technology, as it prepares to reenter Earth's atmosphere.
[2] The recent advancements in technology, particularly the rise of robots like Unitree, have raised questions about their safety and programming, echoing the concerns around Kosmos 482's reentry, which could potentially pose a hazard to those in the vicinity.
