Vega 1

Vega 1 was an uncrewed Soviet spacecraft, part of the Vega program, launched in 1984. Its primary mission objectives were to study Halley's Comet and Venus. Vega 1, along with its sister spacecraft Vega 2, represented a significant achievement in international cooperation in space exploration.

The Vega 1 spacecraft consisted of two main modules: a Venus lander and an flyby probe. The lander successfully descended to the surface of Venus, transmitting data about the planet's atmosphere and surface composition for approximately 23 minutes before succumbing to the extreme temperature and pressure. The flyby probe continued its journey towards Halley's Comet, performing a close flyby in March 1986.

During its flyby of Halley's Comet, Vega 1 deployed several scientific instruments to analyze the comet's nucleus, coma, and dust. It collected data on the comet's size, shape, and composition, as well as the properties of the surrounding plasma environment. These measurements provided valuable insights into the nature of comets and their role in the early solar system.

The data obtained by Vega 1, in conjunction with that of Vega 2, Giotto, and other spacecraft, greatly enhanced our understanding of both Venus and Halley's Comet. The mission contributed significantly to the fields of planetary science and cometary research, and served as a testament to the capabilities of international collaboration in space exploration during the Cold War era. Following its encounters with Venus and Halley's Comet, Vega 1 continued to orbit the Sun, its mission officially concluding in 1987.