MAGELLAN MISSION

Source: IndianExpress

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Context

• Recent studies have uncovered new evidence of volcanic activity on Venus, suggesting the planet was volcanically active between 1990 and 1992.
• These findings are based on data from NASA's Magellan mission, which orbited Venus from 1990 to 1994.
• Researchers in Italy have identified new lava flows, confirming ongoing volcanic activity on the planet.

Details

Key Discoveries

• Analysis of Magellan data reveals new lava flows on the western flank of Sif Mons and the western part of Niobe Planitia.
• Earlier studies had observed changes in the shape and size of a volcanic vent, reinforcing the evidence of active volcanism.
• The findings suggest that Venus has a level of volcanic activity comparable to Earth.
• Understanding Venus's volcanic activity helps scientists learn more about the planet's interior and its geological evolution. 

Future Missions

• In 2031, NASA plans to launch the VERITAS mission (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy), aimed at providing more detailed observations of Venus's surface and interior.
• This mission will help scientists understand why Venus evolved differently from Earth despite their similar sizes and compositions.

About Magellan Mission

• The Magellan mission, managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was an ambitious and successful endeavor to map the surface of Venus.
• Launched on May 4, 1989, and ending its mission on October 12, 1994, Magellan significantly advanced our understanding of Venusian geology and topography through radar imaging.
• Venus Arrival: August 10, 1990.

Objectives

• Primary Objective: To map the surface of Venus using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to penetrate the dense cloud cover and obtain high-resolution images.
• Secondary Objectives:
  • Measure the planet's gravitational field.
  • Gather data on surface properties and radar reflectivity.
  • Study atmospheric and surface interactions.

Spacecraft and Instruments

• Spacecraft Design:
  • The Magellan spacecraft was a three-axis stabilized spacecraft designed specifically for Venusian orbit.
  • It utilized a combination of equipment from previous missions, including the Voyager and Galileo projects, to reduce costs and increase reliability.
• Instruments:
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Primary instrument for imaging the surface. It operated in three modes: mapping, altimetry, and radiometry.
  • Radio Science Subsystem: Used for gravitational field measurements by tracking the spacecraft's velocity changes.

Achievements

• Surface Imaging: Magellan produced detailed images of over 98% of Venus’s surface with a resolution of about 100 meters.
• Topographical Mapping: Created the first detailed topographic maps of Venus.
• Gravitational Field Data: Provided data on the planet’s gravitational anomalies, contributing to the understanding of Venus’s interior structure.
• Volcanism and Tectonics: Revealed extensive volcanic activity and tectonic processes, suggesting a geologically active planet.
• Radar Reflectivity: Offered insights into surface composition and texture.

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Venus

Sources:

IndianExpress

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.  Consider the following statements about Venus: Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system despite not being the closest to the Sun. The Magellan mission was the first to successfully map the entire surface of Venus. Recent data analysis from the Magellan mission suggests that Venus has experienced volcanic activity as recently as the early 1990s. Which of the above statements are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: d