When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. On May 10 of this year, the egg-shaped Kosmos-482 descent module, weighing roughly 1,091 ...

Different computer models were used to predict the reentry of the 1970s-era Soviet Venus craft Kosmos-482. Why were they divergent, and how can we improve our debris-fall forecasts?

Imagery of Kosmos-482, an intended Venera spacecraft to visit the planet Venus, which was stuck in Earth orbit for 53 years. (Image credit: Ralf Vandebergh) Venera 8 pre-launch preparations.

A capsule created by German aerospace startup The Exploration Company crash-landed in the ocean with a payload that included ...