The Magellan spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy on 4 May 1989 and was inserted into orbit around Venus on 10 Aug. 1990. The Magellan spacecraft carries a radar instrument that makes synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of the surface, measures the altitude of the Venusian surface directly below the spacecraft, and obtains radiometric observations of the surface. Radar and radiometric observations of the Venusian surface commenced on 15 Sep. 1990 and continued until 15 Sep. 1992. Gravity observations began on 24 Sep. 1992 and will continue until late May 1993. The radar observations produced SAR images and surface topography for 99 percent of the surface. These radar observations support the objective of improving the knowledge of the geological history of Venus by analysis of surface morphology and the processes that control them. The gravity observations that are being conducted now support the Magellan objective of improving the knowledge of the geophysics of Venus, principally its density distribution and dynamics. Also, Magellan generated more digital planetary image data than all previous planetary missions.


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    Title :

    Magellan Mission


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1993


    Size :

    2 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Magellan Mission

    Thompson, Thomas W. | NTRS | 1993


    Magellan Mission Progress Report

    Thompson, T. | NTRS | 1994


    Magellan Mission Progress Report

    Saunders, R. S. / Griffith, D. G. | NTRS | 1994


    Magellan mission to Venus

    BOYCE, JOSEPH | AIAA | 1990