Though most projections estimate that the object will reenter the atmosphere around May 10, unknowns about its exact shape and size — as well as the unpredictability of space weather — make some degree of uncertainty inevitable.

A Soviet-era spacecraft meant to land on Venus in the 1970s is expected to soon plunge uncontrolled back to Earth.

Part of a spacecraft that has been stuck in orbit for 53 years is due to reenter Earth’s atmosphere around May 10 and could arrive intact.