Magellan: The Unveiling of Venus
The 3.15-hour elliptical orbit of
Magellan will be divided into distinct phases. When the spacecraft is
closest to Venus, the antenna will point at the planet and the radar
will map the surface (A), alternating between north and south swaths
on successive passes. After radar operations are completed, the
spacecraft will turn to point its antenna toward Earth (B) so that
data can be transmitted (C). After calibration of the spacecraft's
attitude control subsystem (D) and another data playback, Magellan
will turn attention once again to the surface.
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