Pioneer Venus Multiprobe
![]() | This article includes a list of generalreferences,butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations.(January 2015) |
![]() Pioneer Venus Multiprobe | |
Mission type | Venusatmospheric probes |
---|---|
Operator | NASA/ARC |
COSPAR ID | 1978-078A |
SATCATno. | 11001 |
Website | National Space Science Data Center (NASA) |
Mission duration | 4 months, 1 day, 13 hours, 22 minutes |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | HS-507 |
Manufacturer | Hughes |
Launch mass | 904 kilograms (1,993 lb)[1] |
Dry mass | 290 kilograms (640 lb) (bus) 315 kilograms (694 lb) (large probe) 3 x 90 kilograms (200 lb) (small probes) |
Power | 241 W |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | August 8, 1978, 07:33[1] | UTC
Rocket | Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR |
Launch site | Cape CanaveralLC-36A |
End of mission | |
Last contact | December 9, 1978, 20:22:55 UTC (bus) December 9, 1978, 20:55:34 UTC (day probe) |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Heliocentric |
Semi-major axis | 0.9 astronomical units (130,000,000 km; 84,000,000 mi) |
Eccentricity | 0.19 |
Perihelion altitude | 0.69 astronomical units (103,000,000 km; 64,000,000 mi) |
Aphelion altitude | 1.01 astronomical units (151,000,000 km; 94,000,000 mi) |
Inclination | 2.3 degrees |
Period | 284.0 days |
Venusatmospheric probe | |
Spacecraft component | Large Probe |
Atmospheric entry | December 9, 1978, 18:45:32 UTC |
Impact date | 19:39:53 UTC |
Impact site | 4°24′N304°00′E/ 4.4°N 304.0°E |
Venusatmospheric probe | |
Spacecraft component | North Probe |
Atmospheric entry | December 9, 1978, 18:49:40 UTC |
Impact date | 19:42:40 UTC |
Impact site | 59°18′N4°48′E/ 59.3°N 4.8°E |
Venusatmospheric probe | |
Spacecraft component | Day Probe |
Atmospheric entry | December 9, 1978, 18:52:18 UTC |
Impact date | 19:47:59 UTC |
Impact site | 31°18′S317°00′E/ 31.3°S 317.0°E |
Venusatmospheric probe | |
Spacecraft component | Night Probe |
Atmospheric entry | December 9, 1978, 18:56:13 UTC |
Impact date | 19:52:05 UTC |
Impact site | 28°42′S56°42′E/ 28.7°S 56.7°E |
Venusatmospheric probe | |
Atmospheric entry | December 9, 1978, 20:21:52 UTC |
ThePioneer Venus Multiprobe,also known asPioneer Venus 2orPioneer 13,was a spacecraft launched in 1978 to exploreVenusas part ofNASA'sPioneer program.This part of the mission included aspacecraft buswhich was launched from Earth carrying one large and three smaller probes, which after separating penetrated the Venusian atmosphere at a different location, returning data as they descended into the planet's thick atmosphere. The entry occurred on December 9, 1978.
In context[edit]
There was also an orbiter launched in 1978, part of the overallPioneer Venus projectalong with this entry probe mission. Whereas the probes entered the atmosphere in 1978, thePioneer Venus Orbiterwould stay in orbit throughout the 1980s and the early 1990s. The next major mission was theMagellanspacecraft,which was an orbiter capable of mapping Venus by seeing through its opaque clouds with radar.
Spacecraft[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Pioneer_Venus_2_inspection.jpg/170px-Pioneer_Venus_2_inspection.jpg)
The Pioneer Venus Multiprobe bus was constructed by theHughes Aircraft Company,built around the HS-507bus.It was cylindrical in shape, with a diameter of 2.5 meters (8 ft 2 in) and a mass of 290 kilograms (640 lb). Unlike the probes, which did not begin making direct measurements until they had decelerated lower in the atmosphere, the bus returned data on Venus' upper atmosphere.
The bus was targeted to enter the Venusian atmosphere at a shallow entry angle and transmit data until destruction by the heat of atmospheric friction. The objective was to study the structure and composition of the atmosphere down to the surface, the nature and composition of the clouds, the radiation field and energy exchange in the lower atmosphere, and local information on atmospheric circulation patterns. With noheat shieldorparachute,the bus made upper atmospheric measurements with two instruments:
- BIMS– anionmass spectrometerto determine the origin and long-term development of the Venusian atmosphere, the dynamics of the upper atmosphere layers, its energy balance and the effect ofsolar radiationandinterplanetary spaceon those layers. This instrument had a range of 1 to 46u,used 6 W of power and weighed 5 kilograms (11 lb).
- BNMS– a neutral mass spectrometer. This made measurements of the interaction between thesolar windandVenus,the photochemistry of the upper layers of and heat distribution in theVenusian atmosphere.It had a range of 1 to 60 u, weighed 1 kilogram (2.2 lb), and used ~1 W of power.
The spacecraft operated down to an altitude of about 110 kilometres (68 mi) before disintegrating.
Probes[edit]
The spacecraft carried one large and three small atmospheric probes, designed by Senior Scientist and Program Manager Irwin Baker of Hughes Aircraft Company, to collect data as they descended into theatmosphere of Venus.The probes did not carry photographic instruments, and were not designed to survive landing – the smaller probes were not equipped with parachutes, and the larger probe's parachute was expected to detach as it neared the ground. All four probes continued transmitting data until impact; however, one survived and continued to transmit data from the surface.
Large probe[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Pioneer_Venus_Large_Probe.jpg/170px-Pioneer_Venus_Large_Probe.jpg)
The large probe carried seven experiments, contained within a sealed spherical pressure vessel. The science experiments were:
- LNMS– neutralmass spectrometerto measure the atmospheric composition
- LGC–gas chromatographto measure the atmospheric composition
- LSFR– solar flux radiometer to measure solar flux penetration in the atmosphere
- LIR– infrared radiometer to measure distribution of infrared radiation
- LCPS– cloud particle size spectrometer to measure particle size and shape
- LN–nephelometerto search for cloud particles
- temperature, pressure, and acceleration sensors
This pressure vessel was encased in a nose cone and aft protective cover. After deceleration from initial atmospheric entry at about 11.5 kilometers per second (7.1 mi/s) near the equator on the night side of Venus, aparachutewas deployed at 67 kilometres (42 mi) altitude. The large probe was about 150 centimeters (59 in) in diameter and the pressure vessel itself was 73.2 centimeters (28.8 in) in diameter.
Small probes[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Smallvenusprobe.gif/170px-Smallvenusprobe.gif)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Entry-points-for-Pioneer-Venus-Atmosphere-probes.png/250px-Entry-points-for-Pioneer-Venus-Atmosphere-probes.png)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Pioneer-Venus-large-prode-descent-sequence.png/250px-Pioneer-Venus-large-prode-descent-sequence.png)
Three identical small probes, around 0.8 meters (2 ft 7 in) in diameter, were deployed. These probes consisted of spherical pressure vessels surrounded by an aeroshell, but unlike the large probe, they had no parachutes and the aeroshells did not separate from the probes.
The science experiments were:[2]
- a neutralmass spectrometerto measure the atmospheric composition
- agas chromatographto measure the atmospheric composition
- SNFR–solar flux radiometerto measure solar flux penetration in the atmosphere
- an infrared radiometer to measure distribution of infrared radiation
- MTUR– cloud particle size spectrometer to measure particle size and shape
- SN–nephelometerto search for cloud particles
- SAS– temperature, pressure, and acceleration sensors
The radio signals from all four probes were also used to characterize the winds, turbulence, and propagation in the atmosphere. The small probes were each targeted at different parts of the planet and were named accordingly.[3]
- TheNorth probeentered the atmosphere at about 60 degrees north latitude on the day side.
- TheNight probeentered on the night side.
- TheDay probeentered well into the day side, and was the only one of the four probes which continued to send radio signals back after impact, for over an hour.
Launch[edit]
The Pioneer Venus Multiprobe was launched by anAtlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1ARrocket, which flew fromLaunch Complex 36Aat theCape Canaveral Air Force Station.The launch occurred at 07:33 on August 8, 1978, and deployed the Multiprobe intoheliocentric orbitfor its coast to Venus.
Arrival at Venus[edit]
Prior to the Multiprobe reaching Venus, the four probes were deployed from the main bus. The large probe was released on November 16, 1978, and the three small probes on November 20.
All four probes and the bus reached Venus on December 9, 1978. The large probe was the first to enter the atmosphere, at 18:45:32 UTC, followed over the next 11 minutes by the other three probes. The bus entered the atmosphere at 20:21:52 UTC and returned its last signal at 20:22:55 from an altitude of 110 kilometres (68 mi).
The four probes transmitted data until they impacted the surface of Venus. The Day Probe survived the impact, returning data from the surface for 67 minutes and 37 seconds after reaching the surface.[4]
Entry time (200 km) | Impact time | Loss of signal | Impact coordinates | Solar Zenith Angle | Local Venus time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Large Probe | 18:45:32 | 19:39:53 | 19:39:53 | 4°24′N304°00′E/ 4.4°N 304.0°E | 65.7 | 7:38 |
North Probe | 18:49:40 | 19:42:40 | 19:42:40 | 59°18′N4°48′E/ 59.3°N 4.8°E |
108.0 | 3:35 |
Day Probe | 18:52:18 | 19:47:59 | 20:55:34 | 31°18′S317°00′E/ 31.3°S 317.0°E |
79.9 | 6:46 |
Night Probe | 18:56:13 | 19:52:05 | 19:52:07 | 28°42′S56°42′E/ 28.7°S 56.7°E | 150.7 | 0:07 |
Bus | 20:21:52 | (signal lost at 110 km altitude) | 20:22:55 | 37°54′S290°54′E/ 37.9°S 290.9°E(estimated) | 60.7 | 8:30 |
Scientific results[edit]
Below the altitude of 50 kilometres (31 mi) the temperatures measured by the four probes are identical to within a few degrees. They are between 448 and 459 °C (838 and 858 °F) on the surface. The ground pressure is between 86.2 and 94.5 bars (8,620 and 9,450 kPa). Nephelometers identified threecloudlayers with different characteristics. The most remarkable discovery was that the ratio of36argon/40argonisotopeswas much higher than in the Earth's atmosphere, which seems to indicate that the genesis of theVenusian atmosphereis very different from that ofEarth.The reconstituted trajectory of the atmospheric probes determined that the wind averaged a speed of 200 metres per second (660 ft/s) in the middle cloud layer at 50 metres per second (160 ft/s) at the base of these clouds and just 1 metre per second (3.3 ft/s) at the ground. Overall data from airborne sensors confirmed, while specifying the data obtained by theSovietspace probeVeneraprogram that preceded this mission.[5]
Trajectory[edit]
Diagram of the PVM's path to planet Venus from Earth in 1978, and this also notes the launch of thePioneer Venus Orbiterwhich took place that year also.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Pioneer-Venus-Trajectories.png/550px-Pioneer-Venus-Trajectories.png)
Graphic overview[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pioneer_Venus_Orbiter_and_Multi-Probe_-_1978_01565.jpg/550px-Pioneer_Venus_Orbiter_and_Multi-Probe_-_1978_01565.jpg)
See also[edit]
- Pioneer Venus Orbiter
- List of missions to Venus
- Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes
- Galileo Probe(Jupiter atmospheric probe delivered by Galileo spacecraft)
- List of spacecraft powered by non-rechargeable batteries
References[edit]
- ^ab"Pioneer Venus Multiprobe/Pioneer Venus 2/Pioneer 13".NASA's Solar System Exploration website.RetrievedDecember 1,2022.
- ^"Pioneer Venus Project Information".NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.Retrieved2016-08-17.
- ^abPioneer Venus Probes.NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 2005.
- ^NASA.Pioneer Venus 2,NASA Science: Solar System Exploration, February 3, 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^Paolo Ulivi et David M. Harland,Robotic Exploration of the Solar System Part 1,The Golden Age 1957–1982, Springer Praxis, 2007 (ISBN978-0-387-49326-8)
External links[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- NASA: Pioneer Venus Project Information
- Pioneer Venus Program PagebyNASA's Solar System Exploration
- NSSDC Master Catalog: Spacecraft Pioneer Venus Probe Bus.(Other components of the mission have their own pages at this site too.)
Articles in Science Magazine issue 4401 (1979)[edit]
![]() | This section'suse ofexternal linksmay not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines.(November 2022) |
- Donahue, T. M. (6 July 1979)."Pioneer Venus Results: An Overview".Science.205(4401): 41–44.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...41D.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.41.JSTOR1748508.PMID17778895.S2CID1600807.
- Colin, Lawrence (6 July 1979)."Encounter with Venus: An Update".Science.205(4401): 44–46.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...44C.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.44.JSTOR1748509.PMID17778896.S2CID26297893.
- Seiff, Alvin; Kirk, Donn B.; Young, Richard E.; Sommer, Simon C.; Blanchard, Robert C.; Findlay, John T.; Kelly, G. M. (6 July 1979)."Thermal Contrast in the Atmosphere of Venus: Initial Appraisal from Pioneer Venus Probe Data".Science.205(4401): 46–49.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...46S.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.46.JSTOR1748510.PMID17778897.S2CID24774892.
- Hoffman, J. H.; Hodges, R. R.; McElroy, M. B.; Donahue, T. M.; Kolpin, M. (6 July 1979)."Composition and Structure of the Venus Atmosphere: Results from Pioneer Venus".Science.205(4401): 49–52.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...49H.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.49.JSTOR1748511.PMID17778898.S2CID20713222.
- Oyama, V. I.; Carle, G. C.; Woeller, F.; Pollack, J. B. (6 July 1979)."Laboratory Corroboration of the Pioneer Venus Gas Chromatograph Analyses".Science.205(4401): 52–54.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...52O.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.52.JSTOR1748512.PMID17778899.S2CID40293580.
- Niemann, H. B.; Hartle, R. E.; Hedin, A. E.; Kasprzak, W. T.; Spencer, N. W.; Hunten, D. M.; Carignan, G. R. (6 July 1979)."Venus Upper Atmosphere Neutral Gas Composition: First Observations of the Diurnal Variations".Science.205(4401): 54–56.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...54N.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.54.JSTOR1748513.PMID17778900.S2CID21839920.
- Pollack, James B.; Black, David C. (6 July 1979)."Implications of the Gas Compositional Measurements of Pioneer Venus for the Origin of Planetary Atmospheres".Science.205(4401): 56–59.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...56P.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.56.JSTOR1748514.PMID17778901.S2CID13281057.
- Stewart, A. Ian; Barth, Charles A. (6 July 1979)."Ultraviolet Night Airglow of Venus".Science.205(4401): 59–62.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...59S.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.59.JSTOR1748515.PMID17778902.S2CID12841902.
- Keating, G. M.; Taylor, F. W.; Nicholson, J. Y.; Hinson, E. W. (6 July 1979)."Short-Term Cyclic Variations and Diurnal Variations of the Venus Upper Atmosphere".Science.205(4401): 62–64.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...62K.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.62.JSTOR1748516.PMID17778903.S2CID23057356.
- Taylor, F. W.; Diner, D. J.; Elson, L. S.; McCleese, D. J.; Martonchik, J. V.; Delderfield, J.; Bradley, S. P.; Schofield, J. T.; Gille, J. C.; Coffey, M. T. (6 July 1979)."Temperature, Cloud Structure, and Dynamics of Venus Middle Atmosphere by Infrared Remote Sensing from Pioneer Orbiter".Science.205(4401): 65–67.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...65T.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.65.JSTOR1748517.PMID17778904.S2CID2023608.
- Blamont, Jacques; Ragent, Boris (6 July 1979)."Further Results of the Pioneer Venus Nephelometer Experiment".Science.205(4401): 67–70.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...67B.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.67.JSTOR1748518.PMID17778905.S2CID19155512.
- Knollenberg, Robert G.; Hunten, D. M. (6 July 1979)."Clouds of Venus: A Preliminary Assessment of Microstructure".Science.205(4401): 70–74.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...70K.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.70.JSTOR1748519.PMID17778906.S2CID36125836.
- Travis, L. D.; Coffeen, D. L.; Del Genio, A. D.; Hansen, J. E.; Kawabata, K.; Lacis, A. A.; Lane, W. A.; Limaye, S. S.; Rossow, W. B.; Stone, P. H. (6 July 1979). "Cloud Images from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter".Science.205(4401): 74–76.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...74T.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.74.JSTOR1748520.PMID17778907.S2CID43906539.
- Pollack, James B.; Ragent, Boris; Boese, Robert; Tomasko, Martin G.; Blamont, Jacques; Knollenberg, Robert G.; Esposito, Larry W.; Stewart, A. Ian; Travis, Lawrence (6 July 1979)."Nature of the Ultraviolet Absorber in the Venus Clouds: Inferences Based on Pioneer Venus Data".Science.205(4401): 76–79.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...76P.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.76.JSTOR1748521.PMID17778908.S2CID28250903.
- Tomasko, Martin G.; Doose, Lyn R.; Smith, Peter H. (6 July 1979)."Absorption of Sunlight in the Atmosphere of Venus".Science.205(4401): 80–82.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...80T.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.80.hdl:2060/19830010359.JSTOR1748522.PMID17778909.S2CID35649934.
- Suomi, V. E.; Sromovsky, L. A.; Revercomb, H. E. (6 July 1979)."Preliminary Results of the Pioneer Venus Small Probe Net Flux Radiometer Experiment".Science.205(4401): 82–85.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...82S.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.82.JSTOR1748523.PMID17778910.S2CID22181310.
- Counselman, C. C.; Gourevitch, S. A.; King, R. W.; Loriot, G. B.; Prinn, R. G. (6 July 1979)."Venus Winds Are Zonal and Retrograde Below the Clouds".Science.205(4401): 85–87.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...85C.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.85.JSTOR1748524.PMID17778911.S2CID39737494.
- Woo, Richard; Armstrong, J. W.; Kendall, William B. (6 July 1979)."Measurements of Turbulence in the Venus Atmosphere Deduced from Pioneer Venus Multiprobe Radio Scintillations".Science.205(4401): 87–89.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...87W.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.87.JSTOR1748525.PMID17778912.S2CID10233431.
- Pettengill, Gordon H.; Ford, Peter G.; Brown, Walter E.; Kaula, William M.; Masursky, Harold; Eliason, Eric; McGill, George E. (6 July 1979)."Venus: Preliminary Topographic and Surface Imaging Results from the Pioneer Orbiter".Science.205(4401): 90–93.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...90P.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.90.JSTOR1748526.PMID17778913.S2CID12582229.
- Phillips, Roger J.; Sjogren, William L.; Abbott, Elsa A.; Smith, John C.; Wimberly, Ray N.; Wagner, Cari A. (6 July 1979)."Gravity Field of Venus: A Preliminary Analysis".Science.205(4401): 93–96.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...93P.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.93.JSTOR1748527.PMID17778914.S2CID21557337.
- Taylor, Harry A.; Brinton, Henry C.; Bauer, Siegfried J.; Hartle, Richard E.; Cloutier, Paul A.; Daniell, Robert E.; Donahue, Thomas M. (6 July 1979)."Ionosphere of Venus: First Observations of Day-Night Variations of the Ion Composition".Science.205(4401): 96–99.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...96T.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.96.JSTOR1748528.PMID17778915.S2CID11269827.
- Kliore, A. J.; Patel, I. R.; Nagy, A. F.; Cravens, T. E.; Gombosi, T. I. (6 July 1979)."Initial Observations of the Nightside Ionosphere of Venus from Pioneer Venus Orbiter Radio Occultations".Science.205(4401): 99–102.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...99K.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.99.JSTOR1748529.PMID17778916.S2CID10322619.
- Brace, L. H.; Theis, R. F.; Niemann, H. B.; Mayr, H. G.; Hoegy, W. R.; Nagy, A. F. (6 July 1979)."Empirical Models of the Electron Temperature and Density in the Nightside Venus Ionosphere".Science.205(4401): 102–105.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..102B.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.102.JSTOR1748530.PMID17778917.S2CID25337442.
- Knudsen, W. C.; Spenner, K.; Whitten, R. C.; Spreiter, J. R.; Miller, K. L.; Novak, V. (6 July 1979)."Thermal Structure and Energy Influx to the Day- and Nightside Venus Ionosphere".Science.205(4401): 105–107.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..105K.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.105.JSTOR1748531.PMID17778918.S2CID26084728.
- Nagy, A. F.; Cravens, T. E.; Chen, R. H.; Taylor, H. A.; Brace, L. H.; Brinton, H. C. (6 July 1979)."Comparison of Calculated and Measured Ion Densities on the Dayside of Venus".Science.205(4401): 107–109.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..107N.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.107.JSTOR1748532.PMID17778919.S2CID28832064.
- Bauer, Siegfried J.; Donahue, Thomas M.; Hartle, Richard E.; Taylor, Harry A. (6 July 1979)."Venus Ionosphere: Photochemical and Thermal Diffusion Control of Ion Composition".Science.205(4401): 109–112.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..109B.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.109.JSTOR1748533.PMID17778920.S2CID32579568.
- Taylor, W. W. L.; Scarf, F. L.; Russell, C. T.; Brace, L. H. (6 July 1979)."Absorption of Whistler Mode Waves in the Ionosphere of Venus".Science.205(4401): 112–114.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..112T.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.112.JSTOR1748534.PMID17778921.S2CID45428203.
- Russell, C. T.; Elphic, R. C.; Slavin, J. A. (6 July 1979)."Initial Pioneer Venus Magnetic Field Results: Nightside Observations".Science.205(4401): 114–116.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..114R.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.114.JSTOR1748535.PMID17778922.S2CID24494352.
- Intriligator, D. S.; Collard, H. R.; Mihalov, J. D.; Whitten, R. C.; Wolfe, J. H. (6 July 1979)."Electron Observations and Ion Flows from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Plasma Analyzer Experiment".Science.205(4401): 116–119.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..116I.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.116.JSTOR1748536.PMID17778923.S2CID42935022.
- Evans, W. D.; Glore, J. P.; Klebesadel, R. W.; Laros, J. G.; Tech, E. R.; Spalding, R. E. (6 July 1979)."Gamma-Ray Burst Observations by Pioneer Venus Orbiter".Science.205(4401): 119–121.Bibcode:1979Sci...205..119E.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.119.JSTOR1748537.PMID17778924.S2CID38916824.
- Donahue, T. M. (6 July 1979)."Pioneer Venus Results: An Overview".Science.205(4401): 41–44.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...41D.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.41.JSTOR1748508.PMID17778895.S2CID1600807.
- Colin, Lawrence (6 July 1979)."Encounter with Venus: An Update".Science.205(4401): 44–46.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...44C.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.44.JSTOR1748509.PMID17778896.S2CID26297893.
- Seiff, Alvin; Kirk, Donn B.; Young, Richard E.; Sommer, Simon C.; Blanchard, Robert C.; Findlay, John T.; Kelly, G. M. (6 July 1979)."Thermal Contrast in the Atmosphere of Venus: Initial Appraisal from Pioneer Venus Probe Data".Science.205(4401): 46–49.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...46S.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.46.JSTOR1748510.PMID17778897.S2CID24774892.
- Hoffman, J. H.; Hodges, R. R.; McElroy, M. B.; Donahue, T. M.; Kolpin, M. (6 July 1979)."Composition and Structure of the Venus Atmosphere: Results from Pioneer Venus".Science.205(4401): 49–52.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...49H.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.49.JSTOR1748511.PMID17778898.S2CID20713222.
- Oyama, V. I.; Carle, G. C.; Woeller, F.; Pollack, J. B. (6 July 1979)."Laboratory Corroboration of the Pioneer Venus Gas Chromatograph Analyses".Science.205(4401): 52–54.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...52O.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.52.JSTOR1748512.PMID17778899.S2CID40293580.
- Niemann, H. B.; Hartle, R. E.; Hedin, A. E.; Kasprzak, W. T.; Spencer, N. W.; Hunten, D. M.; Carignan, G. R. (6 July 1979)."Venus Upper Atmosphere Neutral Gas Composition: First Observations of the Diurnal Variations".Science.205(4401): 54–56.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...54N.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.54.JSTOR1748513.PMID17778900.S2CID21839920.
- Pollack, James B.; Black, David C. (6 July 1979)."Implications of the Gas Compositional Measurements of Pioneer Venus for the Origin of Planetary Atmospheres".Science.205(4401): 56–59.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...56P.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.56.JSTOR1748514.PMID17778901.S2CID13281057.
- Stewart, A. Ian; Barth, Charles A. (6 July 1979)."Ultraviolet Night Airglow of Venus".Science.205(4401): 59–62.Bibcode:1979Sci...205...59S.doi:10.1126/science.205.4401.59.JSTOR1748515.PMID17778902.S2CID12841902.
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