Date of launch (location):
Aug. 8, 1978 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Atlas-Centaur
Weight (kg):
904, total bus
316, large probe (1)
90, small probe (3)
Shape:
Cylindrical, overall bus, with
conical probes
Dimensions (m):
2.5 diameter, bus
2.9 height, bus
1.5 diameter, large probe
0.8 diameter, small probes
Power source:
AgZn batteries
Responsible NASA center:
Ames Research Center
Project manager:
Charles F. Hall
Project scientist:
L. Colin
Objectives:
With Pioneer Venus 1, to conduct
investigations of Venus with hard-impact probes; one large
probe, three small probes, and the spacecraft bus take in
situ measurements of the atmosphere on their way to the
surface to determine nature and composition of clouds,
composition and structure of atmosphere, and general
circulation patterns of atmosphere.
Experiments (responsible
institution):
.
Large Probe Only
Neutral mass spectrometer (University
of Texas, Dallas)
Gas chromatograph (ARC)
Solar flux radiometer (University of
Arizona)
Infrared radiometer (ARC)
Cloud particle size spectrometer
(Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.)
Large and Small Probes
Atmospheric structure (ARC)
Cloud particles (ARC and University
of Paris)
Small Probe Only
Net flux radiometer (University of
Wisconsin)
Spacecraft Bus
Neutral mass spectrometer (University
of Bonn)
Ion mass spectrometer (GSFC)
Differential long baseline
interferometry (Massachusetts Institute of
Technology)
Atmospheric propagation (Stanford
Research Institute)
Atmospheric turbulence (JPL)
Results:
Successful return of scientific data
on Venus; four probes released as planned in November 1978;
22 minutes of data received prior to impact; large probe
impacted day-side equatorial latitudes; first small probe
impacted day-side mid-southern latitudes; second small probe
impacted night-side mid-southern latitudes; third small
probe impacted night-side high-northern latitudes. Mission
concluded on December 9, 1978.
Reference: NASA, "Pioneer Venus Press Kit," May 9, 1978.