Date of launch (location):
May 20, 1978 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Atlas-Centaur
Weight (kg):
582
Shape:
Cylindrical with top-mounted dish
antenna on a 3-meter mast
Dimensions (m):
2.5 diameter
1.2 height (4.5 including antenna
mast)
Power source:
Solar array and 2 NiCd
batteries
Responsible NASA center:
Ames Research Center
Project manager:
Charles F. Hall
Project scientist:
L. Colin
Objectives:
With Pioneer Venus 2, to conduct a
comprehensive investigation of the atmosphere of Venus.
Pioneer Venus I would determine the composition of the upper
atmosphere and ionosphere, observe the interaction of the
solar wind with the ionosphere, and measure the planet's
gravitational field.
Experiments (responsible
institution):
.
Charged particle retarding potential
analyzer (LMSC)
Charged particle mass spectrometer
(GSFC)
Thermal electron temperature Langmuir
probe (GSFC)
Neutral particle mass spectrometer
(GSFC)
Cloud photopolarimeter/imaging system
(GISS)
Temperature sounding infrared
radiometer (JPL)
Magnetic field fluxgate magnetometer
(University of California, Los Angeles)
Solar wind plasma analyzer
(ARC)
Surface radar mapping (Massachusetts
Institute of Technology)
Electric field (TRW, Inc.)
Transient gamma ray burst
(LASQ
Gas and plasma environment (Stanford
Research Institute)
Radio occultation (JPL)
Atmospheric and solar corona
turbulence (JPL)
Drag measurements (LRC)
Internal density distribution
(JPL)
Celestial mechanics (MIT)
Results:
Successful; went in orbit around
Venus on December 4, 1978; completed primary mission August
4, 1979; completed first phase of the extended mission July
22, 1980; second phase in progress (1982).
Reference: NASA, "Pioneer Venus Press Kit," May 9, 1978; NASA "Pioneer Venus 1 Mission Operation Report," S-825-78-01, May 15, 1978; and NASA "Pioneer Venus 2 Mission Operation Report," S-825-78-01/02, Dec. 8, 1982.