Sold For $11,000
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Beautiful custom model of the Venera 9, an unmanned Soviet orbiter-lander that became the first spacecraft to orbit Venus and the first to return images from the surface of another world. This highly detailed handmade model is constructed of steel and plastic composite elements, measures 22˝ in height, 17˝ in width, and the twin solar panel wings extend 31˝ across. The model is set upon a black 12˝ x 12˝ x 1.5˝ base with an affixed plate reading: “Venera-9 Spacecraft.” In fine condition.
The Venera 9 space probe was launched on June 8, 1975, as part of the Venera program developed by the Soviet Union to gather information about the planet Venus. It arrived at Venus on October 22, 1975, and promptly began to make space history when its lander transmitted the first-ever black-and-white images from the surface of Venus, and its orbiter captured atmospheric and cloud data whilst successfully making mankind’s first orbit of Venus. The lander operated for 53 minutes before it was destroyed by Venus’s extreme heat and pressure, which recorded a surface temperature of 475°C (887°F) and surface pressure that exceeded Earth's roughly 90 times over. Venera 9 was a major milestone in planetary exploration that helped inspire future missions to Venus and beyond.
