The Venera 7 became the first spacecraft to send information from another planet back to the earth after it landed on Venus.
While there is more focus on Mars in recent times, it is important to remember the Soviet spacecraft, Venera 7. It was part of the Venera series aimed at studying the planet Venus.
The Soviets launched Venera 7 on 17th August 2020. It had an interplanetary bus and a lander. The bus helped make two in-course corrections during the craft’s flight to Venus. Because scientists had little knowledge of what the surface temperature and pressure would be like, they built the lander to survive a temperature as high as 580 °C (1,076 °F).
On 15th December 1970, Venera 7 entered the atmosphere of Venus. The lander eventually broke off and parachuted towards the surface.
Also read:
– Tech Throwback: NASA Is Founded On 29th July 1958 Amidst The Sputnik Crisis
– Taiwan Plans To Further Restrict Chinese Video Streaming Services iQiyi And WeTV
– OPPO Teases Live Image Of F17 Pro, Tagged ‘The Sleekest Phone Of 2020’
First, researchers found from the atmospheric testing results that Venus’ atmosphere contained 97% carbon dioxide. The parachute failed later and the probe fell freely and struck the surface. Later, those monitoring the readings explained that it had fallen with its antenna not facing earth properly. This made it unable to broadcast sounds from the planet’s surface audibly.
Yet, they were able to surmise that the temperature on the surface was quite hot and calculated to be 475 °C (887 °F). When compared to the average temperature on the surface of the earth, 15 °C (59 °F), it is clear why humans cannot live on Venus.
Also, researchers concluded that it had a solid surface. Venera 7 became important to space research because it provided details that could not be observed through the planet’s thick atmosphere. Additionally, it helped scientists to rule out the possibility of finding water on the planet as well.
This explains why humans are now more focused on getting to know more about Mars than Venus. However, several other spacecraft have gone to Venus after Venera 7.
For your daily dose of tech, lifestyle, and trending content, make sure to follow Plat4om on Twitter @Plat4omLive, on Instagram @Plat4om, on LinkedIn at Plat4om, and on Facebook at Plat4om. You can also email us at info@plat4om.com and join our channel on Telegram at Plat4om. Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.
