Cosmos 482, launched into space by the Soviet Union in 1972 with a destination of Venus, malfunctioned and has been in Earth's orbit since.

The failed Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 has finally returned to Earth after 53 years in orbit. It disappeared into the Indian Ocean early Saturday morning.

A Soviet-era spacecraft has plunged to Earth, more than a half-century after its failed launch to Venus. The half-ton spacecraft fell out of orbit on Saturday.