# Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North)

> first Small Probe of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission

**Wikidata**: [Q113129865](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113129865)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pioneer-venus-small-probe-north

## Summary
The Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North) was the first of four atmospheric entry probes launched as part of NASA's Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission to study Venus's atmosphere. It was a 90-kilogram lander that descended through Venus's atmosphere and landed on the planet's surface on December 9, 1978. The probe was launched from Cape Canaveral on August 8, 1978, aboard an Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR rocket.

## 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 NASA's Ames Research Center
- Manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company
- Landed on Venus on December 9, 1978, at 19:42:40 UTC
- Located at coordinates 59.3°N, 4.8°E on Venus
- Part of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission
- COSPAR ID: 1978-078E
- NSSDCA ID: 1978-078E

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North)?
A: The Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North) was designed to study Venus's atmosphere by descending through it and collecting data on temperature, pressure, and composition before landing on the planet's surface.

### Q: How long did the Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North) operate on Venus?
A: The probe operated for approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes after landing on Venus's surface, transmitting data until it was destroyed by the extreme heat and pressure.

### Q: What made the Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North) unique among Venus probes?
A: It was the first of four identical probes in the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission, specifically targeting the northern hemisphere of Venus to provide comprehensive atmospheric data across different latitudes.

## Why It Matters
The Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North) represented a significant achievement in planetary exploration, providing the first direct measurements of Venus's atmosphere from multiple locations across the planet. As part of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission, it helped scientists understand the extreme conditions on Venus, including its dense carbon dioxide atmosphere, sulfuric acid clouds, and surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead. The data collected by this probe and its three counterparts revolutionized our understanding of Venus's atmospheric dynamics, chemical composition, and thermal structure. This mission demonstrated the feasibility of multi-probe atmospheric entry strategies and provided crucial data that continues to inform planetary science and comparative planetology studies today.

## Notable For
- First successful multi-probe atmospheric entry mission to Venus
- Provided the first comprehensive, multi-point measurements of Venus's atmosphere
- Demonstrated the effectiveness of using multiple probes to study planetary atmospheres
- Operated successfully in Venus's extreme surface conditions for over an hour
- Part of NASA's cost-effective approach to planetary exploration using multiple smaller probes

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North) was one of four identical atmospheric entry probes launched as part of NASA's Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission. The mission's primary objective was to study Venus's atmosphere from multiple locations simultaneously, providing a three-dimensional picture of atmospheric conditions across different latitudes.

### Technical Specifications
The probe measured 0.8 meters in diameter and weighed 90 kilograms. It was designed to withstand the extreme conditions of Venus's atmosphere, including temperatures up to 460°C (860°F) and pressures 90 times that of Earth's surface. The probe carried instruments to measure temperature, pressure, acceleration, and atmospheric composition.

### Launch and Journey
Launched on August 8, 1978, at 07:33:00 UTC aboard an Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR rocket (designated AC-51), the probe traveled to Venus over a three-month journey. The launch vehicle successfully placed the probe on a trajectory that would allow it to intercept Venus in December 1978.

### Atmospheric Entry and Landing
The probe entered Venus's atmosphere on December 9, 1978, descending through the clouds and collecting data on atmospheric conditions at various altitudes. It landed at 59.3°N, 4.8°E on Venus's surface at 19:42:40 UTC, where it continued to transmit data for approximately 67 minutes before succumbing to the planet's extreme conditions.

### Scientific Contributions
The data collected by the Pioneer Venus Small Probe (North) and its companion probes provided unprecedented insights into Venus's atmosphere, including the discovery of sharp temperature gradients, the presence of various chemical compounds, and the dynamics of atmospheric circulation. These findings have been fundamental to our understanding of Venus and have helped inform studies of other planetary atmospheres, including Earth's.

## 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=1978-078E)