Exactly where 1,100lbs Soviet satellite could crash into Earth at 17,000mph this week
A 1,100lbs Soviet satellite is expected to crash down back on Earth at 17,000mph this week.
The lost satellite was launched into space over 50 years ago and scientists are predicting that it could crash land anytime between May 9 and May 13.
And one astronomer believes to have an answer as to where on our planet it will land, with the entirety of the UK being in the firing line.
As part of the Kosmos 482 probe, the satellite was originally launched into space by the USSR in 1972 in order to collect information on Venus.
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However, the probe suffered an engine malfunction while still in Earth’s orbit and it broke into four separate pieces.
While the other pieces burned up over New Zealand, the final missing object, which was the probe’s landing module, is making its way back to Earth, according to experts.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr Marco Langbroek who is a satellite tracker and astronomer at the Delft University of Technology, believes that the Soviet satellite will arrive back on Earth somewhere between latitude 52 degrees north and 52 degrees south.
If he is correct then this will mean that the satellite could hit the UK, with places south of Cambridge including Ipswich and Milton Keynes at risk of being struck.
And it’s certainly worrying if the space junk hits a populated region because, traveling at 17,000mph, it could be deadly if it were to collide with people.
Because this final piece of the satellite was designed to safely land on Venus, it is unlikely to burn up as it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere and instead will likely land in one piece.
Langbroek added: “The risks involved are not particularly high, but not zero.”
It’s not clear yet where the object will land and predictions could change at the last minute due to solar weather that could move it off its course.
In a blog post, Dr Jonathan McDowell, who is an astronomer who tracks satellite re-entries, wrote: “The vehicle is dense but inert and has no nuclear materials.
“No need for major concern, but you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head.”
He continued: “In which case I expect it’ll have the usual one-in-several-thousand chance of hitting someone.”
Also speaking to the Daily Mail, McDowell went on to say: “If this were to cause damage – or worse, to hurt someone – that would be something that the Russian government would be liable for.”