Magellan Satellite

As we explore the universe around us, it is important to learn about the planets in our solar system. One of those planets, between us and the Sun, is Venus. The satellite Magellan was launched in the 1980s to map the surface of Venus and learn more about its unique characteristics.

The Magellan spacecraft is pictured within a launch tube. It is a series of satellites and struts with a satellite dish at the top.

Magellan being prepared for launch

Photo Credit: NASM

An artists depiction of the magellan satellite with its solar panels unfolded as it approaches Venus.

An artist's depiction of Magellan after launch

Photo Credit: NASA

The image shows the Magellan satellite as it is being deployed from the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which is not shown. The background includes the curve of the Earth.

Magellan being deployed from the Space Shuttle Atlantis

Photo Credit: NASA

When was the Magellan spacecraft launched?

Magellan was launched on May 4th, 1989 from the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Magellan's mission ended when it was purposefully crashed into Venus in October 1994.

What was Magellan's mission?

Magellan's mission was to orbit and map the surface of Venus and to collect data that would be used to analyze the planet's gravitational field and atmosphere. As part of mapping Venus, Magellan provided data needed to analyze land forms, impacts, erosion, and deposition on the planet.

What was special about Magellan?

Alongside being the first satellite to map the entire surface of Venus, Magellan was the first interplanetary satellite to be launched from a Space Shuttle, and it was the fifth successful NASA mission to Venus.

Lava flows create a marbled black, gray, and white pattern.

Lava flows, Venus

This image shows one of the series of lava flows that cover 85% of the surface of Venus. How do you think this makes weathering, erosion, and deposition processes different on Venus?

Photo Credit: NASA

A small peek at the center of the photo is surrounded by an oval of debris. The photo is very zoomed out.

Dickinson Crater, Venus

At the center of this image is the remnants of a volcano, surrounded by landslide deposits from an avalanche that carried the rocks down its slope. How do landslides play a part in forming the terrain of Venus?

Photo Credit: NASA

A crater at the center of the image is surrounded by material disturbed by the impact.

Landslide deposits, Venus

While Venus has relatively few craters, it still is marked by them. This image shows one of them. How do impact craters affect the land around them?

Photo Credit: NASA

How did these images help us learn about Venus?

These images showed that much of Venus is covered by hardened lava from past volcanic activities. The planet also doesn't have very many craters, indicating that it is geologically fairly young. There isn't a lot of evidence of wind or water erosion demonstrating how different the climate and weather is on Venus from the climate and weather on Earth

What do these images tell us about the surface of Venus?

These images show how craters, landslides, and lava flow have shaped the terrain of this planet. Because there is limited erosion on the planet's surface, change happens very slowly. We can see especially how lava flow has impacted the way Venus looks.

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