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.

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

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.

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 ...

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.