Soviet spacecraft back on Earth decades after failed mission

A spacecraft has returned to Earth more than 50 years after its failed mission to the planet Venus.

According to Roscosmos, Russia’s state-run space agency, the lander module from a 1972 Soviet mission landed in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia.

Before the re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, experts were concerned it would land in a populated area. However, in recent days, the 500kg module was tracking to land somewhere in the Indian Ocean.

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The capsule experienced engine failure upon launch and has spent the last 53 years stuck in Earth’s orbit. Finally, Earth’s gravitational pull caused the module to re-enter the atmosphere.

Since the failed mission in 1972, Russia has successfully landed seven other capsules on Venus.