On this day in 1992, the Pioneer Venus Orbiter stopped transmitting and began its descent in the Venusian atmosphere.
Pioneer 12 was launched in May 1978 on a mission to study and map Venus’s clouds and atmosphere. During its 14-year stay, Pioneer 12 was able to take invaluable measurements of the planet’s IR emissions, the composition of the upper atmosphere, and the properties of the ionosphere. 14 days after losing contact, Pioneer 12 disintegrated in the Venusian atmosphere in a fitting send-off for such a monumental mission.
