Venera 13 Outlasted Venus’ Heat—127 Minutes of Groundbreaking Color Photos
TL;DR
Venera 13 exceeded its ~32-minute design life by operating 127 minutes on Venus in 1982, transmitting the first color photographs from a planetary surface via a pre-chilled, thick-walled lander with enhanced insulation; the longer life was due to engineering margins and local conditions, while nearby Venera 14 lasted 57 minutes.
When Soviet engineers landed Venera 13 on the surface of Venus in 1982, they expected the probe to survive maybe thirty minutes in the planet's lead-melting heat and crushing pressure — it survived 127 minutes and sent back the first color photographs eve Space DailySee more headlines & perspectives on Google News
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