Kosmos 482: A Soviet Relic Returns
This week, the long-dormant Soviet Venus probe, Kosmos 482, reentered Earth’s atmosphere after 53 years in orbit. Originally launched in 1972, the spacecraft failed to escape Earth’s gravity due to an engine malfunction. The titanium-encased Venus lander capsule, designed to withstand Venus’s harsh conditions, survived reentry and landed on Earth between May 9 and 10. Its exact landing location remains unconfirmed, but no damage or injuries have been reported. Observers noted a spectacular fireball as the capsule descended, a rare sight for such a durable piece of space hardware.
ESA Responds to Proposed NASA Budget Cuts
The European Space Agency (ESA) is evaluating the implications of proposed U.S. budget cuts to NASA programs, including the Space Launch System (SLS), Orion crew vehicle, and the Gateway lunar-orbit platform. These cuts, outlined in a recent White House budget plan, describe SLS and Orion as overly expensive and propose halting the Gateway project. ESA, which contributes critical components to these programs, is consulting with NASA and its 22 member states to assess potential actions and alternatives. An ESA Council meeting is scheduled for June 11-12 to deliberate on these matters.
Blue Origin’s All-Female NS-31 Mission
On April 14, Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-31 mission made history by launching an all-female crew into suborbital space. The 10-minute flight included singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and mission organizer Lauren Sánchez. The mission aimed to inspire future generations and highlight women’s contributions to space exploration. Despite its symbolic significance, the flight received mixed reactions regarding its messaging and timing.
SpaceX Launches Maxar Earth-Observing Satellites
SpaceX successfully launched two Maxar Technologies Earth-observing satellites, WorldView Legion 5 and 6, into orbit. The satellites were deployed approximately 49 minutes and one hour after liftoff, respectively. This mission completes the first block of Maxar’s next-generation WorldView Legion satellites, enhancing high-resolution Earth imaging capabilities.
Upcoming: Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS
Axiom Space is preparing for its fourth private mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for launch on May 29. The crew includes veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, Indian Space Research Organisation’s Shubhanshu Shukla, European Space Agency’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. The mission will last approximately 14–21 days, focusing on scientific research and technology demonstrations aboard the ISS.
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