The Magellan spacecraft, a remarkable robotic probe weighing 1,035 kilograms, embarked on a pioneering mission led by NASA. Launched on May 4, 1989, Magellan carried the ambitious goal of mapping the intricate surface of Venus, employing synthetic-aperture radar technology, and simultaneously measuring the planet's gravitational field.
Magellan's journey was marked by several firsts in interplanetary exploration. It became the inaugural interplanetary mission to be launched from the Space Shuttle, utilized the Inertial Upper Stage booster, and pioneered the concept of aerobraking as a method for circularizing its orbit around Venus.
Magellan marked a triumphant return for NASA in interplanetary probe launches after an eleven-year hiatus, becoming the fifth successful U.S. mission to Venus. Its contributions reshaped our understanding of Venusian terrain and geology, enhancing our knowledge of our planetary neighbours and opening new horizons for planetary exploration.
