Internet Encyclopedia of Science
SATELLITES & SPACE PROBES
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

          • HOME
• ABOUT
• CATEGORIES
• COPYRIGHT
• NEWSLETTER

  



Vega 1 and 2


Vega 1
Vega 1
Two identical Soviet spacecraft each carrying a Venus lander and Halley's Comet flyby probe. The spacecraft released balloons into the atmosphere of Venus and landers onto the surface before flying on to a rendezvous with Halley in March 1986. The twin Vegas passed 8,900 km and 8,000 km, respectively, from the comet's nucleus, returning photographs and analyzing ejected gas and dust. Both had a mass of about 4,000 kg and were launched by a Proton rocket.


spacecraft launch date notes
Vega 1 Dec. 15, 1984 Ejected Venus lander Jun. 10, 1985;
Halley flyby on Mar. 6, 1986
Vega 2 Dec. 21, 1984 Ejected Venus lander Jun. 14, 1985;
Halley flyby on Mar. 9, 1986


Related entry

   • comet and asteroid missions


Related category

   • SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History




BACK TO TOP