1978 saw the launch of the Pioneer Venus missions launched by the United States, on 20 May and 8 August. The Pioneer Venus Multiprobe landed four spacecraft on the planet, one of which transmitted data for 67 minutes before being destroyed by atmospheric pressure. ISEE-C, which was launched on 8 December, flew past comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner in 1985, and Halley's Comet in 1986.Hughes, J (1996) Larousse Desk Reference Encloypedia London RD Press
Launches
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January
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February
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May
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June
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August
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September
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Deep Space Rendezvous Date (GMT)SpacecraftEventRemarks4 December Pioneer Venus Orbiter Cytherocentric orbit insertion 9 December Pioneer Venus Multiprobe Venerian atmospheric entry The bus, one large and three small subprobes21 December Venera 12 Venerian landing 25 December Venera 11 Venerian landing
EVAs Start date/timeDurationEnd timeSpacecraftCrewRemarks29 July04:002 hours06:20Salyut 6PE-2Vladimir KovalyonokIvanchenkov retrieved samples and experiments attached to the outside of Salyut. Kovalyonok assisted with the retrievals and used a color television camera to transmit EVA images to the ground controllers.
References
Footnotes