Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
More than 40 missions have been launched to explore Venus, but that total includes unsuccessful attempts—not 40 successful arrivals. The missions that did return data transformed Venus from a distant point of light into a world studied by flybys, atmospheric probes, landers, orbiters and radar maps.
1. More than 40 missions have been launched toward Venus
NASA says more than 40 missions have been launched to explore Venus. The figure counts attempts, including failures; it does not mean that every spacecraft reached the planet or returned useful observations. NASA’s Venus exploration chronology shows how the record includes both setbacks and landmark successes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
2. Mariner 2 made the first successful planetary flyby
NASA’s Mariner 2 flew past Venus on December 14, 1962, making the first successful close-up observations of another planet. It did not orbit or land: after its encounter, it continued in solar orbit. The spacecraft reached Venus after a 110-day cruise and passed within 21,564 miles, according to NASA’s historical account.
Mariner 2 also confirmed the solar wind during its cruise. Its measurements challenged the popular picture of Venus as a mild, tropical world, helping establish that the planet was a very different place from Earth.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning Solar System Crystal Model: This stunning model of the solar system features eight planets, each made from carefully selected natural crystal gems that represent the unique colors and energies of the planets, capturing the essence of their corresponding celestial bodies.
- Authentic Gemstone Representation: Each planet is crafted from a specific gemstone, Pluto (amethyst), Earth (blue aventurine), Neptune (blue turquoise), Saturn (yellow jade), Venus (tiger's eye), Mercury ( clear quartz), Uranus (green aventurine), Jupiter (picture stone), Mars (red agate).
- Cosmic & Inspirational Decor: This solar system ornament is not only an elegant home and office decor piece, but also a captivating celestial display. Ideal for astronomy enthusiasts, it delivers a unique, tactile way to admire the charm of the planetary system and appreciate cosmic beauty.
- Versatile Display Piece: With its elegant design and vibrant gemstone planets, this model serves as a striking decorative piece for any room. Whether on a desk, shelf, or in a study area, it adds a cosmic touch to your space and sparks curiosity about the universe.
- Thoughtful Gift for Space Lovers: This solar system crystal model makes an excellent gift for astronomy enthusiasts, science lovers, or anyone fascinated by space. It's perfect for birthdays, educational milestones, or as a thoughtful gift for someone who loves the mysteries of the universe.
3. Venera 4 sent the first data from another planet’s atmosphere
Early U.S. and Soviet attempts to reach Venus failed. The Soviet Venera 4 changed the record: it became the first probe to transmit data from the atmosphere of another planet. That was a different kind of achievement from a flyby, because the spacecraft carried instruments into Venus’s atmosphere to measure conditions there directly. NASA’s chronology records the early failures and Venera milestones in its mission overview.
4. The Venera program moved from atmospheric probes to landings
The Soviet Venera program did not rely on one kind of spacecraft. It included atmospheric probes, surface landers and orbiters, building knowledge through different vantage points. Venera 7 was the first successful lander on Venus, transmitting data from the surface.
Rank #2
- NASA-Inspired Planet Design - A vivid depiction of Venus based on actual satellite imagery, featuring fiery swirls of red, orange, and gold to showcase its harsh, volcanic surface.
- No Batteries or Wires — Just Light - The MOVA Globe turns silently on its own using ambient indoor light or indirect sunlight, powered by patented solar cell technology.
- Premium Build with Seamless Movement - A fluid-suspended inner globe rotates within a clear acrylic outer shell, offering a smooth, almost magical visual experience.
- Compact and Versatile Size - Measuring 4.5 inches in diameter, it fits neatly on desks, bookshelves, or display stands. Small enough to gift, striking enough to admire.
- A Smart Gift That’s Out of This World - Ideal for astronomy lovers, science teachers, space enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to beautiful objects with purpose. A captivating kinetic sculpture.
Later Soviet missions extended the work, and the Vega missions paired a Venus lander and atmospheric balloon with a spacecraft that continued on a flyby. Together, these missions demonstrated how probes could study the clouds and atmosphere while landers sampled the surface.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches5. Pioneer Venus split its work between an orbiter and atmospheric probes
The U.S. Pioneer Venus program used two spacecraft for complementary investigations. Pioneer Venus 1 entered orbit on December 4, 1978. Its instruments studied the atmosphere, magnetic field and surface, including with radar measurements. Pioneer Venus 2 sent a large probe and three smaller probes into the atmosphere on December 9, 1978. NASA describes the pair in its Pioneer Venus 2 mission account.
Rank #3
- 【Multipurpose】: toy can be used not only as a throw pillow, but also as a decoration for kids room, living room, bedroom, sofa, office.
- 【Stuffed Toy】: Simulated toy, which can let children know about planets and cultivate children's interest in science.
- 【Great Gift】: Solar system stuffed toy is a gift for kids, friends, family.
- 【Soft Material】: Stuffed toy is made of , the inner filling is flat, soft to the touch and comfortable.
- 【Portable and Lightweight】: The soft doll pillow is small 17cm/6.69inch in size, for cuddling, playing with, or as a car cushion.
The split mattered: an orbiter could observe Venus over time from above, while probes descended through the atmosphere to make measurements in place.
6. A Pioneer Venus probe transmitted after hitting the surface
Two of Pioneer Venus 2’s three small probes survived impact. NASA reports that the Day Probe continued sending surface data for 67 minutes and 37 seconds after striking the ground, until heat, pressure and loss of power ended its transmission. That brief signal provided direct measurements from the surface, rather than an estimate made from orbit.
Rank #4
- Large-size solar system model kit display board: The oversized display board of 17.32 x 11.02in perfectly reproduces the 3D three-dimensional solar system toys for kids 8+, making it easy to create an exclusive mini universe
- Complete solar system kit: Display board, 17 high-quality foam craft balls (planets and stars), 12 vibrant paints, brushes, Dot stickers and label stickers. Each planetary foam craft balls is reduced according to the proportion, so that children can intuitively feel the volume difference between the planet balls and easily build a complete cognitive framework of the solar system for kids
- Both educational and fun: It is the enlightening key for children to explore the universe. In the process of drawing planets for kids, it can stimulate children's strong interest in astronomical knowledge, exercise hands-on ability, and the printed introduction of the eight planet toys helps children learn the mysteries of the universe in practice
- Easy assembly, exclusive for children: No need for complex tools and techniques, the assembly steps are simple and easy to understand, and children can complete it independently. Safe small foam balls material, light and easy to take, is an excellent choice for parent-child interaction and children's handicraft classes
- Versatile Usage Scenarios: Perfect for DIY decoration, school project, and science project. This kit is an excellent choice for solar system modeling craft supplies and makes a great art project or outer space room decoration
7. Magellan mapped Venus through its clouds with radar
Venus’s dense cloud cover blocks ordinary views of the surface, so NASA’s Magellan spacecraft used radar to map the planet. Launched from Space Shuttle Atlantis, it was the first deep-space probe launched by a space shuttle. NASA says Magellan was the first spacecraft to image the entire surface of Venus and ultimately mapped 98% of it. Its mission page describes the radar-mapping achievement.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute8. Magellan revealed extensive volcanic terrain
Radar images gave scientists a global view of a surface hidden from ordinary cameras. NASA reports that at least 85% of Venus’s surface is covered by volcanic flows, based on Magellan data. The observations also showed how unlike Earth’s surface environment Venus is: high heat, high pressure and a lack of water make erosion extremely slow, allowing some features to persist for hundreds of millions of years.
Best Value
- BUILD & DISPLAY A MOVING, GLOWING SOLAR SYSTEM – With this kit, kids can customize all 8 planets and the sun, creating a stunning 3D solar system model that glows in the dark! It’s an awesome addition to any space-themed room.
- ALL-INCLUSIVE KIT – Everything needed to build a glowing solar system is included: 6 vibrant paint colors, glow-in-the-dark accent paint, brush, palette, fun decals, and a poster with solar system facts! Kid-friendly instructions make assembly easy!
- MOVABLE ARMS FOR EASY ADJUSTMENTS – Adjust the position of the planets with ease! The model’s movable arms allow kids to set up and rearrange their solar system display to match their imagination.
- LEARN HANDS-ON FUN FACTS ABOUT OUR SOLAR SYSTEM – Dive into the wonders of space with this engaging model kit! Kids will learn fascinating facts about each planet as they build and explore their own glow-in-the-dark solar system.
- AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTS - Blue Marble, winner of the Toy Association's prestigious Toy of the Year Award, proudly develops products that foster education, imagination, and creativity, with a U.S. support team to ensure a stellar experience!
9. Venus Express and Akatsuki brought international orbiters back to Venus
After the earlier waves of exploration, international orbiters resumed long-term study of the planet. Launched in 2005, Venus Express was the first European spacecraft to orbit Venus. Japan’s Akatsuki was launched in 2010 and appears in NASA’s chronology as a Venus orbiter. These spacecraft added observations from orbit to the record built by flybys, atmospheric probes, landers and radar mapping; the dates and mission identities are listed in NASA’s Venus exploration overview.
10. Planned missions will investigate different parts of Venus
NASA lists DAVINCI and VERITAS, along with ESA’s EnVision, as missions in development. They are plans, not missions that have returned results. NASA describes their aims in its exploration overview and VERITAS mission page.
- DAVINCI: A planned investigation descending from near the cloud tops toward the surface, designed to examine Venus’s atmosphere and environment.
- VERITAS: A planned orbiter intended to map Venus and investigate its geology and interior.
- EnVision: An ESA orbiter in development to study Venus’s history, activity and climate. NASA describes its timing broadly as the 2030s.
Their different approaches reflect a central lesson of Venus exploration: no single vantage point answers every question. Atmospheric descent, orbital mapping and geological investigation can reveal different pieces of the planet’s story.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
