Magellan
LocationVenus orbit
Year1989
Size3.7 m dish
TypePlanetary orbiter
About Magellan
Mapped about 98 percent of the surface of Venus with radar. Launched from the Space Shuttle Atlantis in May 1989. Its radar pierced the thick clouds to reveal volcanoes and lava plains. Reused a spare Voyager antenna. Deliberately plunged into the atmosphere of Venus in 1994.
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