Venera 13 Outlasted Venus’ Heat—127 Minutes of Groundbreaking Color Photos
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.