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Vega 1 Balloon

Constant-pressure instrumented balloon aerostat was deployed from the upper heat protection hemisphere of each if the two Vega lander craft immediately after entry into the atmosphere. Vega 1 Balloon was launched on December 15, 1984 aboard a Proton-K/D-1 from Baikonur. Latest status in GCAT: left for deep space attached to another object (Dec 15, 1984).

COSPAR 1984-125FNORAD 15859Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT
AZ Vega-1
Common name
Vega 1 Balloon
Payload designation
Aerostatniy Zond
International designator
1984-125F
NORAD catalog number
15859
GCAT identifier
S15859

Mission

Mission type
Deep space
Use
Civil government
Program
4V-1 AZ
Owner
IKI
Country
Soviet Union
Builder
NPO Lavochkin
Platform (bus)
Venera AZ

Launch

Date
December 15, 1984 · 09:16 UTC
Launch record
1984-125Success
Spaceport
Baikonur · pad LC200/39

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
EEO
Perigee
180 km
Inclination
51.60°
Status
Left for deep space attached to another object
Status date
December 15, 1984
Last known active
Jun 13, 1985
End of operations
Jun 13, 1985

Size

Mass
21 kg
Dry mass
21 kg
Length
1.0 m
Diameter
0.10 m
Span
15.4 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry
D00653
Final central body
Venus
Phase start
June 7, 1985
Phase outcome
Released · June 11, 1985

Flight phases

FromCentral bodyEndedOutcomeNext
Dec 15, 1984EarthDec 20, 1984Escaped to another body, attachedHCO
Jun 11, 1985VenusJun 13, 1985Reentered (orbital decay)—

Landings and impacts

WorldTypeResultTouchdownSiteCoordinates
VenusAtmospheric craft (not designed to land)Targeted impactJun 13, 1985—8.10, 68.80

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q113129950 (CC0).