Vega 2 Descent Craft

The Vega 2 lander probe was identical to those of Venera 9 through 14 and similarly had two objectives, the study of the atmosphere and the study of the superficial crust.. Vega 2 Descent Craft was launched on December 21, 1984 aboard a Proton-K/D-1 from Baikonur. Latest status in GCAT: left for deep space attached to another object (Dec 21, 1984).

COSPAR 1984-128ENORAD 15856Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT: SA Vega-2
Common name: Vega 2 Descent Craft
Payload designation: 5VK SA
International designator: 1984-128E
NORAD catalog number: 15856
GCAT identifier: S15856

Mission

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

Launch

Date: December 21, 1984 · 09:13 UTC
Launch record: 1984-128Success
Rocket: Proton-K/D-1
Spaceport: Baikonur · pad LC200/40

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 21, 1984
Last known active: Jun 14, 1985
End of operations: Jun 14, 1985

Size

Mass: 750 kg
Dry mass: 750 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 1,720 kg
Length: 2.0 m
Diameter: 1.00 m
Span: 2.0 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00658
Final central body: Venus
Phase start: June 11, 1985
Phase outcome: Released · June 13, 1985

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Dec 21, 1984	Earth	Dec 26, 1984	Escaped to another body, attached	HCO
Jun 13, 1985	Venus	Jun 15, 1985	Landed	Venus

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Venus	Lander (parachute)	Landed and operated	Jun 15, 1985	—	-6.45, 181.08

Launched together

Vega 2Deep space · IKI Vega 2 BalloonDeep space · IKI

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q113130000 (CC0).