Pioneer Venus 2

Re-entered 8 Aug 1978

Pioneer Venus 2 (NORAD 11001, COSPAR 1978-078A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Aug 1978, launched on 8 Aug 1978 on the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission. It was operated by ARC as part of the Pioneer Venus programme. The spacecraft was built by HSES on the HS-507 bus, with a mass of 290 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1978

launched

1978

re-entered

years on orbit

290

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Aug 1978 · on the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe mission

Operational9 Dec 1978 · entered service

Retired9 Dec 1978 · end of operational service

Re-entered8 Aug 1978 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID11001

COSPAR1978-078A

TypeSatellite

OperatorARC

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerHSES

BusHS-507

Mass290 kg (258 kg dry)

ProgrammePioneer Venus

CategoryPLAN

OrbitHEO (EEO)

Altitude170 × -106,700 km

Inclination28.6°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Pioneer Venus 2?

Pioneer Venus 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 Aug 1978, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1978. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Pioneer Venus 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

Pioneer Venus 2 re-entered on 8 Aug 1978, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Pioneer Venus 2?

Pioneer Venus 2 was operated by ARC and built by HSES (US).

Launched together

Large ProbeRe-entered 1978 Small Probe 1Re-entered 1978 Small Probe 2Re-entered 1978 Small Probe 3Re-entered 1978

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Pioneer Venus Multiprobe → What is space debris? →