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Venera 3

NSSDC ID: 1965-092A

Description

Venera 3 was launched from a Tyazheliy Sputnik (65-092B) towards the planet Venus. The mission of this spacecraft was to land on the Venusian surface. The entry body contained a radio communication system, scientific instruments, electrical power sources, and medallions bearing the coat of arms of the U.S.S.R. The station impacted Venus on March 1, 1966, making Venera 3 the first spacecraft to impact on the surface of another planet. However, the communications systems had failed before planetary data could be returned.

Alternate Names

  • Venus 3
  • 01733

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 1965-11-16
Launch Vehicle: Modified SS-6 (Sapwood) with 2nd Generation Upper Stage + Escape Stage
Launch Site: Tyuratam (Baikonur Cosmodrome), U.S.S.R
Mass: 960.0 kg

Funding Agency

  • Unknown (U.S.S.R)

Discipline

  • Planetary Science

Additional Information

Experiments on Venera 3

Data collections from Venera 3

Questions or comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Dr. David R. Williams.

Selected References

Shelton, W., Soviet space exploration - the first decade, Arthur Barker Ltd., Unnumbered, London, England, 1969.

Harvey, B., The new Russian space programme from competition to collaboration, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England, 1996.

Johnson, N. L., Handbook of soviet lunar and planetary exploration - volume 47 science and technology series, Amer. Astronau. Soc. Publ., 1979.

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