Venera 8

Soviet space probe which delivered a lander to Venus. Venera 8 was launched on March 27, 1972 aboard a Molniya 8K78M from Baikonur. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Mar 28, 1972).

COSPAR 1972-021ANORAD 5912Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT: Venera-8
Common name: Venera 8
Payload designation: 4V-1 No. 670
Other names: V-72 No. 670:P
International designator: 1972-021A
NORAD catalog number: 5912
GCAT identifier: S05912
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.251

Mission

Mission type: Deep space, Reentry vehicle
Use: Civil government
Program: 4V-1A
Owner: IKI
Country: Soviet Union
Builder: NPO Lavochkin
Platform (bus): MV

Launch

Date: March 27, 1972 · 04:15 UTC
Launch record: 1972-021Success
Rocket: Molniya 8K78M
Spaceport: Baikonur · pad LC31

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LLEO/I
Perigee: 194 km
Apogee: 246 km
Inclination: 51.79°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: March 28, 1972
Last known active: Jul 22, 1972
End of operations: Jul 22, 1972

Size

Mass: 689 kg
Dry mass: 660 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 1,184 kg
Length: 2.5 m
Diameter: 1.20 m
Span: 6.0 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00436
Final central body: Venus
Phase start: July 20, 1972
Phase outcome: Released · July 22, 1972
Destination: Venus

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Mar 28, 1972	Earth	Mar 30, 1972	Escaped to another body, attached	HCO
Jul 22, 1972	Venus	Jul 22, 1972	Landed	Venus

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Venus	Secondary component	Targeted impact	Jul 22, 1972	—	-10.70, 335.25
Venus	Lander (parachute)	Landed and operated	Jul 22, 1972	—	-10.70, 335.25
Venus	Secondary component	Targeted impact	Jul 22, 1972	—	-10.70, 335.25

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q251645 (CC0).