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Magellan

[Image of Magellan]

Launch Date:
May 4, 1989

Arrival:
August 10, 1990

Mission End:
October 11, 1994

Target:
Venus

Magellan was launched in 1989 to collect radar imagery, topography, and gravity field data of Venus. Magellan orbited Venus for four years during its extended mission. At the conclusion of the mission, Magellan was intentionally crashed into the planet's surface, allowing the spacecraft to collect data on Venus' atmosphere before it was destroyed. It was the first time a working planetary spacecraft was ever intentionally crashed.

Web Pages with Information about Magellan

Astrogeology Research Program

Maps and Globes Gallery: View and download digital maps and globes of Venus, the Moon, Mars, and Jovian satellites
Map-a-Planet: Interactive global image map browser
Geologic Mapping: Download digital geologic maps, learn about our geologic mapping efforts, and access geologic mapping resources from the Planetary Geologic Mapping Program
NASA Planetary Photojournal: Images from various Solar System exploration programs
Database of Impact Craters on Venus: Searchable listing of impact craters on Venus and information about the ongoing work
Regional Planetary Information Facility (RPIF): Information about the resources in our Regional Planetary Information Facility

Other Web Sites