Soviet-era spacecraft expected to plunge uncontrolled to Earth next week

A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, which was launched in 1972 but never reached orbit due to a rocket malfunction, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere uncontrolled around 10 May at speeds up to 150mph. The half-ton object, now believed to be mostly intact except for its landing capsule, has been in orbit for decades and could survive the journey or burn up depending on whether its heat shield holds. Experts predict a low chance of impact but note it's similar to meteorite risk each year. The spacecraft could land anywhere from 51.7 degrees latitude north or south, potentially over water, and parallels other re-entry events like China's booster rocket and Tiangong-1 space station.