The following table lists all missions to the Jupiter, including those that failed, starting with the most recent. The table is colour coded to reflect the lead country or space agency, and missions are listed by launch date. The RPIF, here at UNB holds data and images from many of the NASA led missions.
Launch Date |
Mission |
Success |
Type |
Instruments |
Goals |
Database |
05/2010 |
Akatsuki/
PlanetC |
Failed (Second attempt in 2015) |
Orbiter |
a number of cameras equipped to return ultraviolet and infrared images |
-to study the atmospheric dynamics of the planet, particularly the upper atmosphere super-rotation
-measure atmospheric temperatures and look for evidence of volcanic activity and lightning
|
No |
11/2005 |
Venus Express |
Success |
Orbiter |
-Venus monitoring camera
-wide angle imager
-ASPERA, a combined energetic neutral atom imager, ion, and electron spectrometer, and magnetometer
-PFS, an IR Fourier spectromete
-SPICAM, a UV/IR spectrometer
-VIRTIS, a UV, visible, IR imaging spectrometer
-VeRa, a radio science experiment
-VENSIS, a subsurface and ionospheric radar sounder
|
to study the atmosphere and plasma environment of Venus |
Yes |
08/2004 |
|
Success |
Orbiter |
-Mercury dual imaging system (MDIS)
-gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer (GRNS)
-X-ray spectrometer (XRS)
-Mercury laser altimeter (MLA)
-atmospheric and surface composition spectrometer (MASCS)
-energetic particle and plasma spectrometer (EPPS)
-magnetometer (MAG)
-radio science (RS) experiments
|
-mission to Mercury
-to make two Venus flybys on route to Mercury
|
Yes |
05/1989 |
Magellan |
Success |
Orbiter |
-synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
-gravimetry
-Magellan radio science occultation experiment
|
-to map the surface of Venus with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
-to determine the topographic relief of the planet
-at the completion of radar mapping 98% of the surface was imaged at resolutions better than 100 m, and many areas were imaged multiple times
|
Yes |
12/1984 |
Vega2 |
Success |
Probe & Halley's Comet Flyby
|
-television system (TVS)
-3-channel spectrometer (TKS)
-IR spectrometer (IKS)
-dust mass spectrometer (PUMA)
-dust particle counter (SP-1)
-neutral gas mass spectrometer (ING)
-plasma energy analyzer (PLASMAG)
-energetic particle analyzer (TUNDE-M)
-magnetometer (MISCHA)
-wave and plasma analyzer (APV-N)
-dust particle detector (DUCMA)
-dust particle counter (SP-2)
-energetic particles, MSU-TASPD
-wave and plasma analyzer (APV-V)
|
to flyby Venus on its way to Halley's Comet. As the spacecraft swung by the planet, it deployed a 2.4 meter (8 foot) probe into the atmosphere on June 11, 1985. The probe itself deployed a balloon almost immediately upon entering the atmosphere. The balloon, which measured temperature, pressure, wind velocity and visibility of the atmosphere, covered 9,000 kilometers (5590 miles) in 47 hours before it burst. The probe took readings of the atmosphere as it descended to the surface |
Yes |
12/1984 |
Vega1 |
Success |
Probe & Halley's Comet Flyby |
-television system (TVS)
-3-channel spectrometer (TKS)
-IR spectrometer (IKS)
-dust mass spectrometer (PUMA)
-dust particle counter (SP-1)
-neutral gas mass spectrometer (ING)
-plasma energy analyzer (PLASMAG)
-energetic particle analyzer (TUNDE-M)
-magnetometer (MISCHA)
-wave and plasma analyzer (APV-N)
-dust particle detector (DUCMA)
-dust particle counter (SP-2)
-energetic particles, MSU-TASPD
-wave and plasma analyzer (APV-V)
|
to flyby Venus on its way to Halley's Comet. As the spacecraft swung by the planet, it deployed a 2.4 meter (8 foot) probe into the atmosphere on June 11, 1985. The probe itself deployed a balloon almost immediately upon entering the atmosphere. The balloon, which measured temperature, pressure, wind velocity and visibility of the atmosphere, covered 9,000 kilometers (5590 miles) in 47 hours before it burst. The probe took readings of the atmosphere as it descended to the surface |
Yes |
06/1983 |
Venera16 |
Success |
Orbiter |
-Venera 16 synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
-Venera 16 radar altimeter
-energetic particles, MSU-TASPD
-IR Fourier spectrometer
|
-to study the surface properties of Venus
-Venera15 and 16 created a radar map of Venus
|
Yes |
06/1983 |
Venera15 |
Success |
Orbiter |
-Venera 15 synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
-Venera 15 radar altimeter
-IR Fourier spectrometer
|
-to study the surface properties of Venus
-Venera15 and 16 created a radar map of Venus
|
Yes |
11/1981 |
Venera14 |
Success |
|
-X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
-dynamic penetrometer
-seismometer
-panoramic telephotometer for surface imagery
-photometric observation of light flux in 3 visible + 2 IR channels
-brightness and atmospheric composition by 3 channel IR photometry near .8 micron
-light scattering between 18 and 63 km altitude
-pressures and temperatures from 63 km to the source
-accelerometers
-drill and surface sampler
-mass spectrometry from 63 to 34 km altitude
|
-to take chemical and isotopic measurements, monitor the spectrum of scattered sunlight, and record electric discharges during its descent phase through the Venusian atmosphere
-a drilled rock sample was found to have a similar composition to oceanic tholeiitic basalts
|
Yes |
10/1981 |
Venera13 |
Success |
Orbiter & Lander |
-X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
-dynamic penetrometer
-seismometer
-panoramic telephotometer for surface imagery
-photometric observation of light flux in 3 visible + 2 IR channels
-brightness and atmospheric composition by 3 channel IR photometry near .8 micron
-light scattering between 18 and 63 km altitude
-pressures and temperatures from 63 km to the source
-accelerometers
-drill and surface sampler
-mass spectrometry from 63 to 34 km altitude
|
-to take chemical and isotopic measurements, monitor the spectrum of scattered sunlight, and record electric discharges during its descent phase through the Venusian atmosphere
-a drilled rock sample was found to have a similar composition to oceanic tholeiitic basalts
|
|
09/1978 |
Venera12 |
Success |
Orbiter & Lander |
-electrical activity experiment
-nephelometer
-temperature and pressure profiles
-gas chromatograph
-mass spectrometer
-instruments to study scattered solar radiation and soil composition
-Groza, an instrument designed to measure amospheric electrical discharges
-spectrophotometer and scanning photometer
-chemical composition of aerosols
|
-to study the detailed chemical composition of the atmosphere, the nature of the clouds, and the thermal balance of the atmosphere
-results reported included evidence of lightning and thunder, a high Ar36/Ar40 ratio, and the discovery of carbon monoxide at low altitudes
|
No |
|
|
Success |
Lander |
-electrical activity experiment
-nephelometer
-temperature and pressure profiles
-gas chromatograph
-mass spectrometer
-instruments to study scattered solar radiation and soil composition
-Groza, an instrument designed to measure amospheric electrical discharges
-spectrophotometer and scanning photometer
-chemical composition of aerosols
|
-to study the detailed chemical composition of the atmosphere, the nature of the clouds, and the thermal balance of the atmosphere
-results reported included evidence of lightning and thunder, a high Ar36/Ar40 ratio, and the discovery of carbon monoxide at low altitudes
|
No |
08/1978 |
PioneerVenus2 |
Success |
Probe |
-neutral mass spectrometer
-gas chromatograph
-solar flux radiometer
-infrared radiometer
-cloud particle size spectrometer
-nephelometer
-temperature, pressure, and acceleration sensors
|
-to measure the atmospheric composition
-to measure the atmospheric composition
-to measure solar flux penetration in the atmosphere
-to measure distribution of infrared radiation
-to measure particle size and shape
-to search for cloud particles
|
Yes |
05/1978 |
PioneerVenus1 |
Success |
Orbiter |
-cloud photopolarimeter
-surface radar mapper
-infrared radiometer
-airglow ultraviolet spectrometer
-neutral mass spectrometer
-solar wind plasma analyzer
-magnetometer
-electric field detector
-electron temperature probe
-ion mass spectrometer
-charged particle retarding potential analyzer
-two radio science experiments
-radio occultation experiment
-atmospheric drag experiment
-radio science atmospheric and solar wind turbulence experiment
-gamma ray burst detectors
|
-to measure the vertical distribution of the clouds
-to determine topography and surface characteristics
-to measure IR emissions from the Venus atmosphere
-to measure scattered and emitted UV light
-to determine the composition of the upper atmosphere
-to measure properties of the solar wind
- to characterize the magnetic field at Venus
-to study the solar wind and its interactions
-to study the thermal properties of the ionosphere
-to characterize the ionospheric ion population
-to study ionospheric particles
-to determine the gravity field of Venus
-to characterize the atmosphere
-to study the upper atmosphere
-to record gamma ray burst events
-mapped nearly all of the surface of the planet, resolving features as small as 80 kilometers (50 miles)
|
Yes |
06/1975 |
Venera10 |
Success |
Orbiter & Lander |
-panoramic telephotometer for surface imaging
-photometric observation of light flux in 3 visible and 2 IR channels
-brightness and atmospheric composition by 3 channel IR photometry near 0.8 microm
-light scattering between 18 and 63 km altitude
-pressures and temperatures from 63 km to the source
-acceloremeters
-surface wind anemometer
-surface radioactivity, gamma-ray spectrometer experiment
-planetary surface density experiment
-mass spectrometry from 63 to 34 km altitude
|
-to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet
-preliminary results provided: (A) profile of altitude (km)/pressure (earth atmospheres)/temperature (deg C) of 42/3.3/158, 15/37/363, and 0/92/465, (B) successful TV photography showing large pancake rocks with lava or other weathered rocks in between, and (C) surface wind speed of 3.5 m/s.
|
Yes |
06/1975 |
Venera9 |
Success |
Orbiter & Lander |
-panoramic telephotometer for surface imaging
-photometric observation of light flux in 3 visible and 2 IR channels
-brightness and atmospheric composition by 3 channel IR photometry near 0.8 microm
-light scattering between 18 and 63 km altitude
-pressures and temperatures from 63 km to the source
-acceloremeters
-surface wind anemometer
-surface radioactivity, gamma-ray spectrometer experiment
-planetary surface density experiment
-mass spectrometry from 63 to 34 km altitude
|
-to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet
-preliminary results indicated: (A) clouds 30-40 km thick with bases at 30-35 km altitude, (B) atmospheric constituents including HCl, HF, Br, and I, (C) surface pressure about 90 (earth) atmospheres, (D) surface temperature 485 deg C, (E) light levels comparable to those at earth midlatitudes on a cloudy summer day, and (F) successful TV photography showing shadows, no apparent dust in the air, and a variety of 30-40 cm rocks which were not eroded
|
Yes |
11/1973 |
Mariner10 |
Success |
Flyby Mercury and Venus |
-TV photography
-celestial mechanics and radio science
-scanning electrostatic analyzer and electron spectrometer
-triaxial fluxgate magnetometer
-extreme UV spectrometer
-two-channel IR radiometer
-energetic particles experiment
|
-to measure Mercury's environment, atmosphere, surface, and body characteristics and to make similar investigations of Venus
-to perform experiments in the interplanetary medium and to obtain experience with a dual-planet gravity-assist mission
|
Yes |
03/1972 |
Cosmos482 |
Failure |
Lander |
? |
to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet |
- |
03/1972 |
Venera8 |
Success |
Probe & Lander |
-temperature sensors
-pressure sensors
-light sensors
-altimeter
-gamma-ray spectrometer
-gas analyzer
-radio transmitters
-cosmic ray detector
-solar wind detector
-UVspectrometer
-energetic particles experiment MSU-TASPD
|
to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet |
Yes |
08/1970 |
Cosmos359 |
Failure |
Lander |
? |
to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet |
- |
08/1970 |
Venera7 |
Success |
Lander |
energetic particles experiment MSU-TASPD
|
-to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet
-the first man-made object to return data after landing on another planet
-it reported surface tempertures of 475 C (890 F) and pressures 90 times greater than Earth's
|
Yes |
01/1969 |
Venera5 & Venera6 |
Success |
Probe |
-Geiger tubes and silicon surface barrier detectors
-energetic particles experiment MSU-TASPD
|
to flyby Venus and obtain scientific data on the atmosphere of the planet |
Yes |
06/1967 |
Cosmos167 |
Failure |
Probe |
? |
to flyby Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet |
- |
06/1967 |
Mariner5 |
Success |
Flyby |
-two-frequency beacon receiver
-interplanetary ion plasma probe
-trapped radiation detector
-triaxial low field helium magnetometer
-UV photometer
-celestial mechanics
-S-band occultation
|
to measure both interplanetary and Venusian magnetic fields, charged particles, and plasmas, as well as the radio refractivity and UV emissions of the Venusian atmosphere |
Yes |
06/1967 |
Venera4 |
Success |
Probe |
-thermometers
-barometer
-radio altimeter
-atmospheric density gauge
-11 gas analyzers
-two radio transmitters operating in the DM waveband
-magnetometer
-cosmic ray detectors
-hydrogen and oxygen indicators
-charged particle traps
-energetic particles experiment MSU-TASPD
|
to study the atmosphere of Venus |
Yes |
11/1965 |
Venera3 |
Failure |
|
energetic particles experiment MSU-TASPD |
-to land on the Venusian surface
-hit the planet but no data was retured
|
- |
11/1965 |
Venera2 |
Failure |
Flyby |
energetic particles experiment MSU-TASPD |
-to flyby Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet
-passed within 23,000km of Venus before contact was lost
|
- |
04/1964 |
Zond1 |
Failure |
Probe |
? |
-to flyby Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet
-lost contact
|
- |
03/1964 |
Cosmos27 |
Failure |
Flyby |
? |
-to flyby Venus
-rocket failure
|
- |
03/1964 |
Venera1964B |
Failure |
Flyby |
? |
-to flyby Venus
-rocket failure
|
- |
02/1964 |
Venera1964A |
Failure |
Flyby |
? |
-to flyby Venus
-rocket failure
|
- |
09/1962 |
Sputnik21 |
Failure |
Probe |
? |
to flyby Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet |
- |
09/1962 |
Sputnik20 |
Unable to escape Earth orbit |
Probe |
? |
to flyby Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet |
- |
08/1962 |
Mariner2 |
Success |
Flyby |
-magnetometer
-particle detectors
-cosmic ray detector
-cosmic dust detector
-solar plasma spectrometer detector
-microwave radiometer
-infrared radiometer
-celestial mechanics
|
to fly by Venus and return data on the planet's atmosphere, magnetic field, charged particle environment, and mass |
-Yes |
08/1962 |
Sputnik19 |
Failed to reach Venus trajectory |
Probe |
? |
to fly by Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet |
- |
07/1962 |
Mariner1 |
Rocket veered off course |
Flyby |
? |
to fly by Venus |
- |
02/1961 |
Venera1 |
Contact lost |
Probe |
-magnetometer
-ion traps
-micrometeorite detectors
-cosmic radiation counters
|
-to fly by Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet
-passed within 100,000km of Venus before contact was lost
|
- |
02/1961 |
Sputnik7 |
Rocket failure |
Probe |
? |
to fly by Venus and obtain scientific data on the planet |
- |
