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Magellan

NASA robotic space probe that studied the planet Venus. Magellan was launched on May 4, 1989 aboard a Space Shuttle from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (May 5, 1989).

COSPAR 1989-033BNORAD 19969United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
Magellan
Payload designation
VRM
International designator
1989-033B
NORAD catalog number
19969
GCAT identifier
S19969
UN registration
ST/SG/SER.E/212

Mission

Mission type
Deep space
Use
Civil government
Program
Magellan
Owner
JPL
Country
United States
Builder
Martin Marietta/Denver
Platform (bus)
MGN

Launch

Date
May 4, 1989 · 18:46 UTC
Launch record
1989-033Success
Spaceport
Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC39B

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
EEO
Perigee
300 km
Inclination
28.89°
Status
Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date
May 5, 1989
Last known active
Oct 12, 1994
End of operations
Oct 12, 1994

Size

Mass
1,207 kg
Dry mass
1,035 kg
Total mass with attached objects
3,348 kg
Length
4.6 m
Diameter
3.70 m
Span
9.2 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry
D00677
Final central body
Venus
Phase start
August 8, 1990
Phase outcome
Entered orbit around the target · August 10, 1990
Destination
Venus

Flight phases

FromCentral bodyEndedOutcomeNext
May 5, 1989EarthMay 7, 1989Escaped to another bodyHCO
Aug 10, 1990VenusOct 12, 1994Reentered (orbital decay)Venus

Landings and impacts

WorldTypeResultTouchdownSiteCoordinates
VenusOrbiterImpact after orbital decayOct 12, 1994——

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q466932 (CC0).