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Artists impression of Magellan radar mapping
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Artists impression of Magellan radar mapping
Illustration showing the Magellan spacecraft using radar to map the surface of Venus. Magellan was NASAs first planetary mission since the Voyager craft of the late 1970s. It was deployed by Shuttle Atlantis on 5 May 1989, arriving in orbit on 10 August 1990. The first 243-day mapping cycle was commenced on 29 August 1990. Magellan used radar to penetrate the thick shroud of clouds around Venus, returning images of over 90% of the surface at unprecedented resolution. This has allowed scientists to study Venus geology for the first time, revealing an active tectonic past. In January 1992 the intense heat radiated by Venus finally caused Magellan to fail
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Media ID 6424919
© JULIAN BAUM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Exploration Planetary Exploration Space Craft Venus Magellan
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This print showcases an artist's impression of Magellan radar mapping, a groundbreaking mission by NASA that revolutionized our understanding of Venus. The illustration depicts the Magellan spacecraft utilizing radar technology to meticulously map the enigmatic surface of this neighboring planet. Launched on May 5,1989, aboard Shuttle Atlantis, Magellan arrived in Venus' orbit on August 10,1990. What sets this mission apart is its ability to penetrate through Venus' dense cloud cover using radar waves. By doing so, it captured images with unprecedented clarity and resolution, covering over 90% of the planet's surface. For the first time in history, scientists were able to study Venusian geology in detail and unravel its mysterious past. The data collected by Magellan revealed a dynamic tectonic history on Venus that was previously unknown. This newfound knowledge shed light on the planet's geological processes and provided valuable insights into Earth's own geology. However, despite its remarkable achievements, Magellan eventually succumbed to the intense heat radiated by Venus in January 1992. Nevertheless, its legacy lives on as one of NASA's most significant planetary missions since Voyager craft from the late '70s. This awe-inspiring photograph serves as a testament to human curiosity and our relentless pursuit of knowledge about our celestial neighbors. It encapsulates both scientific exploration and technological innovation at their finest moments – forever etching Magellan into space exploration history.
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