The Soviets launched Kosmos 482 in 1972, intending to send it to Venus to join other spacecraft in their Venera programme. But a rocket malfunction left this one stuck in orbit around Earth.

However, Kosmos 482 was designed to function on Venus's surface, where the average temperature is 867 degrees Fahrenheit (464 C), and to survive a descent through the planet's thick atmosphere.

Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era spacecraft, plunged to Earth more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus.

The Kosmos 482 spacecraft was part of the USSR’s Venera program, a series of probes that were developed to research the planet Venus. Ten of those missions successfully landed on the hot, barren ...

Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era spacecraft, plunged to Earth more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus.

Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era spacecraft, plunged to Earth more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus.

Launched in 1972 by the Soviet Union, the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 was part of a series of missions bound for Venus. But this one never made it out of orbit around Earth, stranded there by a ...

Launched in 1972 by the Soviet Union, the spacecraft known as Kosmos 482 was part of a series of missions bound for Venus. But this one never made it out of orbit around Earth, stranded there by a ...

Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era spacecraft, plunged to Earth more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus.

Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era spacecraft, plunged to Earth more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus.