This is a replica of the Kosmos 482 Soviet spacecraft, once bound for Venus. An error in a timer caused an engine to fail to fire, and the craft was stuck in Earth orbit for 53 years. See how tough it looks? It was built to withstand the high temperatures and high atmospheric pressures on Venus. Image via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0).Your support = more science, more stars, more wonder. Donate to EarthSky and be part of something bigger.
