Magellan (spacecraft)
The Magellan spacecraft, also called the Venus Radar Mapper, was a NASA spaceprobe designed to explore the Venus planet. It was launched on May 4, 1989, and reached Venus on August 10, 1990.[1] It was in orbit around Venus for four years making detailed maps of the surface using radar and measuring the planet's gravity. Because of the thick atmosphere around the planet, the information from Magellan provided scientists with their first views of the surface of Venus.[2] On October 12, 1994, the Magellan spacecraft was crashed into the planet on purpose.[1]
The Magellan was the first spacecraft to be launched from a Space Shuttle, the Atlantis. It was also the first spacecraft to be deliberately crashed.[2] Magellan was made from parts left over from other space exploration programs, including the Voyager program.
The Magellan was named after the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521).[2]
Magellan (spacecraft) Media
The Voyager probe spacecraft bus that formed the main body of Magellan
Thrusters, Star 48 booster and the internal components of the Forward Equipment Module
Positions of the three antennas
Magellan - radar electronics
Magellan - burst rate diagram - orig
Short video depicting the early phases of the Magellan mission, from orbital insertion to the processing of the collected data.
Mosaic of the "left-looking" data collected during cycle 1
Mosaic of the "right-looking" data collected during cycle 2
Rendered animation of Venus rotating using data gathered by Magellan
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hamilton, Calvin J. (2012). "Magellan Mission to Venus". solarviews.com. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Magellan Spacecraft - Venus Radar Mapper". aerospaceguide.net. 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
