Pioneer Venus 2:
Pioneer Venus 2, the twin to Pioneer Venus 1, comprised a main bus, a large probe (316.5 kilograms), and three identical small probes, all of which were designed to collect
data during independent atmospheric entry into Venus. Each probe was shaped like a cone and not designed to survive past surface impact.
After a course correction on 16 August 1978, Pioneer Venus 2 released the 1.5-meterdiameter large probe on 16 November 1978, at about 11.1 million kilometers from the planet. Four days later, the bus released the three small probes while 9.3 million kilometers from Venus. All five components reached the Venusian atmosphere on 9 December 1978, with the large probe entering first.
Read More About Pioneer Venus 2
Visit the Pioneer Venus 2 Website
