Launched: August 17, 1970 | Soviet Union (USSR)
Venus Landing: December 15, 1970
On this day, Venera 7 became the first spacecraft to successfully land on another planet — touching down on the scorching surface of Venus and transmitting data back to Earth.
Highlights:
Survived entry into Venus’ dense, hot atmosphere.
First human-made craft to transmit data from the surface of another planet.
Signal lasted about 23 minutes before fading.
Confirmed Venus’ extreme conditions: surface temperature ~475°C and pressure ~92 times Earth’s.
Paved the way for later Soviet Venus landers that sent back images and data.
Legacy:
Venera 7 proved humanity could land on another planet, even in the most hostile conditions of the solar system.
Caption:
“Dec 15, 1970 — Venera 7 touched down on Venus, the first spacecraft ever to land on another planet and talk back to Earth.”
