A Soviet-era spacecraft meant to land on Venus a half century ago is expected to plunge uncontrolled back to Earth within days.

On or around May 10, 2025, a forgotten piece of the Cold War will make its fiery return to Earth. It’s not a missile, not a spy satellite—but a Soviet Venus lander that’s been orbiting our planet for more than half a century.

A Soviet-era spacecraft plunged to Earth on Saturday, more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus. The European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking confirmed its uncontrolled reentry,