# Vega 2 Descent Craft

> The Vega 2 lander probe was identical to those of Venera 9 through 14 and similarly had two objectives, the study of the atmosphere and the study of the superficial crust.

**Wikidata**: [Q113130000](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113130000)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vega-2-descent-craft

## Summary
The Vega 2 Descent Craft is a Soviet space probe launched on December 21, 1984, as part of the Vega 2 mission. Functioning as a lander, its primary purpose was to study the atmosphere and the superficial crust of its target celestial body. The spacecraft is physically identical to the lander probes used in the Venera 9 through 14 missions.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Lander (spacecraft designed to descend to and rest on the surface of an astronomical body).
- **Launch Date:** December 21, 1984.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K carrier rocket.
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome.
- **Mission Objectives:** The study of the atmosphere and the study of the superficial crust.
- **Design Heritage:** Identical to the lander probes used in the Venera 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 missions.
- **Parent Mission:** Component of Vega 2.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1984-128E.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1984-128E.
- **Alternate Names:** Vega 2 Lander, Vega 2 Balloon Aerostat, 15856.

## FAQs
### Q: What were the scientific objectives of the Vega 2 Descent Craft?
A: The probe had two primary objectives: to study the atmosphere and to study the superficial crust of the target body.

### Q: How is the Vega 2 Descent Craft related to the Venera missions?
A: The Vega 2 lander probe was identical in design and function to the lander probes used in the Soviet Venera 9 through Venera 14 missions.

### Q: When and how was the Vega 2 Descent Craft launched?
A: It was launched on December 21, 1984, using a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Why It Matters
The Vega 2 Descent Craft represents a key component of the Soviet Vega program, serving as a specialized instrument for atmospheric and surface analysis. By utilizing a lander design identical to the successful Venera 9 through 14 series, the mission leveraged proven engineering to reduce risk and ensure data acquisition. This standardization highlights the Soviet strategy of modular spacecraft design during this era of planetary exploration.

Launched atop the heavy-lift Proton-K rocket, the craft was part of a complex trajectory to study celestial phenomena. Its mission to analyze the superficial crust and atmosphere provides critical data points for comparative planetology. The inclusion of this specific descent craft in the Vega 2 mission underscores the scientific priority placed on direct surface interaction and in-situ atmospheric sampling.

## Notable For
- Being identical to the lander probes used in the Venera 9 through 14 missions.
- Having a dual scientific focus on both atmospheric study and superficial crust analysis.
- Being a distinct part of the Vega 2 mission, distinguishable by the COSPAR ID 1984-128E.
- Launching on the Proton-K, a prominent Russian/Soviet carrier rocket.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Specifications
The Vega 2 Descent Craft is classified as a lander, defined as a spacecraft which descends toward and comes to rest on the surface of an astronomical body. It operates as a component of the larger Vega 2 mission. The spacecraft was assigned the COSPAR ID 1984-128E and the NSSDCA ID 1984-128E.

### Design and Engineering
The engineering of the Vega 2 Descent Craft follows a standardized Soviet design lineage. It is explicitly described as being identical to the lander probes utilized in the Venera 9 through 14 missions. This design consistency suggests a focus on reliability and the reuse of successful atmospheric entry and landing technologies.

### Scientific Payload and Objectives
The science mission for the Vega 2 Descent Craft was defined by two specific goals:
1.  **Atmospheric Study:** Analysis of the gaseous composition and dynamics of the target body.
2.  **Crust Study:** Investigation of the superficial crust, likely involving surface material analysis and imaging.

### Launch Operations
The descent craft began its journey on December 21, 1984. It was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a major spaceport located in the Soviet Union (now Kazakhstan). The launch was facilitated by a Proton-K carrier rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle previously used for various Soviet lunar and planetary missions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report