NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Pioneer Venus Multiprobe

Launch Time
Tue Aug 08, 1978 07:33 UTC

Rocket

Atlas-SLV3D Centaur-D1AR
Image Credit: USAF or NASA
General Dynamics
Status: Retired
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0

Mission Details

Pioneer Venus Multiprobe

The Pioneer Venus Multiprobe, also known as Pioneer Venus 2 or Pioneer 13, was a spacecraft launched in 1978 to explore Venus as part of NASA's Pioneer program. This part of the mission included a spacecraft bus that was launched from Earth carrying one large and three smaller probes, which after separating penetrated the Venusian atmosphere at a different location, returning data as they descended into the planet's thick atmosphere. The entry occurred on December 9, 1978.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 904.0 kg
Heliocentric Orbit

Location

SLC-36A, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

1978

80th orbital launch attempt

Atlas-Centaur

48th mission
6th mission of 1978
38th successful mission
6th consecutive successful mission