Spaceborne radar studies of Venus

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · AIAA Stud. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5802247

Nozette, S

Data obtained from the Pioneer Venus radar mapper experiment are discussed. The mission was primarily developed to study the atmosphere of Venus. A highly eccentric orbit (eccentricity of 0.84, period of 24 h) was selected. The instrumentation has two operating modes: altimetry and imaging. Three parameters were measured for every radar spot size: altitude, surface roughness and radar reflectivity at a normal incidence. The measurements have been extended to a topographic map. The results suggest that the Beta region consists of two large shields and that the equatorial region is dominated by Aphrodite Terra. It also appears that the surface of Venus is very smooth and that it lacks great basins and the global plate tectonics present on earth.

• OSTI ID: 5802247
• Journal Information: AIAA Stud. J.; (United States), Journal Name: AIAA Stud. J.; (United States) Vol. 18; ISSN AISJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
MAPPING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PIONEER SPACE PROBES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
REFLECTIVITY
SPACE VEHICLES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TOPOGRAPHY
VEHICLES
VENUS PLANET