A model of a Venera 7 descent capsule
Aug. 17, 1970 — Venus and Earth are known as sister planets for good reason. They're both rocky, terrestrial worlds, about the same size, with about the same wide-ranging topography of mountains and canyons. They could almost be twins — except that Venus' suffocating carbon dioxide atmosphere and runaway greenhouse effect create a surface air pressure 90 times greater than Earth's and a lead-melting surface temperature of 864 degrees Fahrenheit. Landing a ship in such a place and keeping it functioning for even a few seconds was the challenge the Soviets faced with their Venera series. Venera 7 managed the landing and, as expected, did not survive long — just 23 minutes before succumbing to the murderous Venusian environment. But the Venera missions would continue, with multiple landings, through Venera 16 in 1983; the year before, Venera 13 operated for a full 127 minutes on the surface. Our sister planet clearly had taken to its Soviet suitor.