Missions to Venus

Swathed with clouds, Earth-based observations of this planet often yield few results. Not surprisingly, most of what is known of the planet comes from the interplanetary probes sent by the United States and Russia. The US sent several flyby missions, including Mariner 2 in 1962, Mariner 5 in 1967, and Mariner 10 in 1974. The USSR also launched the following probes: Veneras 4 and 5 in 1967, Venera 6 in 1969, Venera 7 in 1970, Venera 8 in 1972,

Veneras 9 and 10 in 1975, Veneras 11 and 12 in 1978, Veneras 13 and 14 in 1981, and Veneras 15 and 16 in 1983. Vegas 1 and 2 released descent capsules into Venus. The most successful Russian missions were the final ones, Venera 15 and Venera 16. The United States launched its most successful missions, the Pioneer Venus probes, in 1978, which resulted in extensive information. Pioneer Venus 2 studied the upper atmosphere and dropped four probes onto the surface. Pioneer Venus 1 went in orbit around Venus and measured its upper atmosphere. It passed through the atmosphere and ionosphere of Venus once per day. Using its radar, the satellite gave NASA an extensive global survey of the planet. Another largely successful mission launched by the United States was the 1990 Magellan. Magellan continuously surveyed the planet for four years, finding huge active volcanoes, large solidified lava flows, and a vast array of meteorite craters. This information gives researchers an accurate picture of past and present geologic activities on Venus.

Copyright © 2000 by Gary Chan and Matthew McDermott. All rights reserved.