posted 12-27-2013 04:25 PM               

Space Cover #246: Pioneer Venus

This installment of Space Cover of the Week features covers from the Pioneer-Venus mission. Pioneer Venus Orbiter was launched on May 20, 1978. Pioneer Venus multiprobe was launched on August 8, 1978.

The Pioneer Venus Orbiter entered venusian orbit on December 4, 1978. The Pioneer Venus multiprobe consisted of a large probe and 3 smaller probes which were released on November 20, 1978. The probes entered Venus atmosphere on December 9, 1978. Not designed to survive the hot Venus enviroment the day probe transmitted for 68 minutes from the surface of Venus.

posted 12-27-2013 05:30 PM               

Venus is kind of the poor, ugly stepchild of the solar system - sizzling hot (800 degrees F on the surface), tremendous pressure (like 90 earth atmospheres), sulfuric acid in the atmosphere, none of the prospects of life that make Mars so intriguing, nor the fantastic photo opps that the gas giant planets present.