Kosmos 482, a Soviet spacecraft originally launched in 1972 as part of a mission to Venus, has re-entered Earth's atmosphere after spending 53 years in orbit. The spacecraft was intended to land on Venus, but a launch failure left it stranded in Earth's orbit. According to Russia's space agency, the lander made an uncontrolled re-entry over the Indian Ocean. This event marks the end of one of the longest-lasting pieces of space debris from the early era of interplanetary exploration. The European Space Agency and US agencies have also tracked the re-entry, confirming the event. Kosmos 482 was part of the Soviet Union's ambitious Venera program, which aimed to explore Venus during the space race. The spacecraft's prolonged presence in orbit was due to its robust construction and the high altitude of its initial trajectory. Its re-entry did not pose a risk to populated areas, as it burned up over the ocean. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about space debris and the long-term consequences of failed missions.