Cosmos (or Kosmos) 482's orbit has slowly brought it closer to our planet since 1972, and now it's on the cusp of plummeting back to its home world.

Space debris re-enters Earth every day. Most of it burns up in the atmosphere. But Russia's 1972 failed Venera mission probe Cosmos 482 is different.

The probe known as Cosmos 482 was meant to eventually sputter out ... "No need for major concern," McDowell concluded, "but you wouldn't want it bashing you on the head." ...