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.
Magellan being prepared for launch
Photo Credit: NASM
An artist's depiction of Magellan after launch
Photo Credit: NASA
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, 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
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
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 lave 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.