On Sunday, somewhere over the Indian ocean, the failed Soviet Venus Landau Cosmos 482 crashed back down to earth fifty-three years after it was launched into orbit.
A problem with its rocket stranded the spacecraft in an elliptical orbit around Earth but this isn't the first time pieces have crashed through the atmosphere.
In 1972 segments of the probe crashed into the South Island of New Zealand, mostly around the Ashburton area.
Nine known parts have been found, one of which is now owned by Southland writer, teacher and historian Lloyd Esler. He tells Emile why this find is so important to him.
The Soviet Cosmos 482 was headed for Venus. Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech
