# Pioneer Venus Small Probe (Night)

> second Small Probe of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission

**Wikidata**: [Q113129857](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113129857)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pioneer-venus-small-probe-night

## Summary
The Pioneer Venus Small Probe (Night) was a 90-kilogram atmospheric entry probe launched by NASA in 1978 as part of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission. It was designed to descend through Venus's atmosphere and transmit data about the planet's composition and conditions. The probe successfully landed on Venus on December 9, 1978, after being launched from Cape Canaveral on August 8, 1978.

## Key Facts
- Launched on August 8, 1978, at 07:33:00 UTC from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36
- Mass: 90 kilograms
- Diameter: 0.8 meters
- Operated by Ames Research Center for NASA
- Manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company
- Landed on Venus on December 9, 1978, at 19:52:05 UTC
- Part of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission alongside three other probes
- Scn designation: 12105
- COSPAR ID: 1978-078F
- Located on Venus at coordinates -28.7° latitude, 56.7° longitude

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Pioneer Venus Small Probe (Night)?
A: The probe was designed to enter Venus's atmosphere, collect data about its composition and conditions, and transmit this information back to Earth before being destroyed by the planet's extreme surface conditions.

### Q: How long did the Pioneer Venus Small Probe (Night) operate on Venus?
A: The probe transmitted data for approximately one hour after entering Venus's atmosphere on December 9, 1978, before being destroyed by the planet's harsh surface conditions.

### Q: What made this probe different from the other Pioneer Venus probes?
A: The Small Probe (Night) was specifically designed to enter Venus's atmosphere on the planet's night side, while other probes in the mission entered on the day side, allowing for comparative data collection.

## Why It Matters
The Pioneer Venus Small Probe (Night) represented a significant achievement in planetary exploration, providing crucial data about Venus's atmosphere and surface conditions that were previously unknown. As part of NASA's Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission, it helped scientists understand the extreme environment of Earth's closest planetary neighbor, including its dense carbon dioxide atmosphere, sulfuric acid clouds, and surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead. The mission's success demonstrated the viability of atmospheric entry probes for planetary exploration and contributed to our understanding of planetary evolution and atmospheric science. The data collected helped establish baseline measurements for Venus's atmosphere that continue to inform current and future missions to the planet.

## Notable For
- First successful multiprobe mission to Venus, with four separate probes entering the atmosphere
- Provided the first direct measurements of Venus's night-side atmospheric conditions
- Demonstrated the effectiveness of atmospheric entry probes for planetary exploration
- Collected data from multiple locations on Venus simultaneously
- Operated successfully for its entire planned mission duration despite extreme conditions

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Pioneer Venus Small Probe (Night) was one of four atmospheric entry probes launched as part of NASA's Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission. The mission aimed to study Venus's atmosphere from multiple locations and at different times of day. The Small Probe (Night) was specifically designed to enter the Venusian atmosphere on the planet's night side, complementing data from other probes that entered on the day side.

### Technical Specifications
The probe measured 0.8 meters in diameter and weighed 90 kilograms. It was equipped with various scientific instruments to measure atmospheric composition, temperature, pressure, and other parameters as it descended through Venus's atmosphere. The probe's structure was designed to withstand the extreme conditions it would encounter, including high temperatures and pressures.

### Launch and Journey
Launched on August 8, 1978, aboard an Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR launch vehicle (AC-51), the probe traveled to Venus as part of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe spacecraft. The launch took place at 07:33:00 UTC from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36. After a journey of approximately four months, the probe separated from the main spacecraft and entered Venus's atmosphere on December 9, 1978.

### Atmospheric Entry and Data Collection
The probe entered Venus's atmosphere at 19:52:05 UTC on December 9, 1978. As it descended, it transmitted valuable data about the planet's atmospheric composition, temperature gradients, and pressure conditions. The probe continued to operate and transmit data for approximately one hour after atmospheric entry before being destroyed by the planet's extreme surface conditions.

### Scientific Contributions
The data collected by the Pioneer Venus Small Probe (Night) contributed significantly to our understanding of Venus's atmosphere, particularly the conditions on the planet's night side. This information helped scientists develop more accurate models of Venus's atmospheric dynamics and composition, and provided insights into the planet's evolution and current state. The mission's success paved the way for future Venus exploration missions and demonstrated the value of multipoint atmospheric measurements.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pioneer-13.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/ames/40-years-ago-pioneers-encounter-venus/)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1978-078F)