Venera 13 photos from the surface of Venus

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Venera 13 mission, its historical significance, and the potential for future probe missions to Venus. Participants explore the technological achievements of the Venera program and speculate on upcoming missions designed to withstand Venus's harsh conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the achievements of the Venera 13 mission, noting its brief but impactful data collection on Venus's surface.
  • Others emphasize the technological advancements represented by Venera 13 and Venera 14, suggesting they were significant milestones in space exploration.
  • A question is raised about the likelihood of future missions to Venus, particularly regarding the design of landers that could survive longer in the extreme conditions.
  • One participant mentions planned missions to Venus, referencing a variety of proposed craft, including orbiters and landers, and expresses skepticism about the feasibility of all these missions proceeding.
  • The concept of a robotic Venus rover, Zephyr, is introduced, described as wind-propelled and intended for extended exploration, with a humorous comparison to a solar-powered skateboard.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the historical significance of the Venera missions, but there is uncertainty regarding the future of planned missions to Venus, with differing opinions on their feasibility and design challenges.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the uncertainty surrounding the success of future missions and the specific designs required to withstand Venus's environment, as well as the potential for changes in mission plans over time.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying space exploration, planetary science, and engineering challenges associated with extreme environments.

ElliotSmith
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In 1982, the USSR sent a space probe named Venera 13 to land on the planet Venus.

The lander lasted only two hours before succumbing to the extreme temperatures and crushing pressures on the surface of Venus, but not before it sent back these stunning photographs.
 

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Venera 13 was one of a series of Soviet missions to Venus, and was coupled by Venera 14. Two identical probes launched five days apart that each lasted beyond their expected life on the surface, an absolute technological tour de force.

More photos from these missions can be found at Don P. Mitchell's website.
 
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Tghu Verd said:
Venera 13 was one of a series of Soviet missions to Venus, and was coupled by Venera 14. Two identical probes launched five days apart that each lasted beyond their expected life on the surface, an absolute technological tour de force.

More photos from these missions can be found at Don P. Mitchell's website.

Do you think that there will be future probe missions to Venus with specially designed reinforced and heat-insulated lander craft which will last significantly longer?
 
There are a number of planned missions to Venus, and they all require especially designed craft to survive the hostile environment of space and within the atmosphere. Check out this Wikipedia page for the more than a dozen that are on the drawing board, comprising both orbiters and landers.

It's unlikely they will all proceed (and especially NASA's High Altitude Venus Operational Concept - HAVOC- because it's crewed, so that's decades away at best) but I particularly like their robotic Venus rover, Zephyr, that is wind propelled and intended to roam around for almost two months. The artists impression makes it look like a solar powered skate board with a sail to me 😄
 

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