* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Vega 1 space probe

Blobrana · L

The Soviet Vega 1 begins returning images of Comet Halley on March 4, 1986. The images were used to help pinpoint Giotto's upcoming close flyby of the comet.

Blobrana · L

25th Anniversary of the Vega 1 Comet Halley Flyby in 1986.

Blobrana · L

Anniversary of the Vega 1 Launch in 1984 (Soviet Venus/Comet Halley Mission)

Vega 1 (along with its twin Vega 2) is a Soviet space probe part of the Vega program. The spacecraft was a development of the earlier Venera craft. They were designed by Babakin Space Centre and constructed as 5VK by Lavochkin at Khimki.
Read more

Blobrana · L

25th Anniversary (1985), Vega 1, Venus Landing/Balloon

Blobrana · L

On this day in 1986, the Soviet Vega 1 space probe returned the first images of the nucleus of Comet Halley.

Vega 1 made its closest approach on March 6 at around 8,889 kilometres (at 07:20:06 UT) of the nucleus. It took more than 500 pictures via different filters as it flew through the gas cloud around the coma. Although the spacecraft was battered by dust, none of the instruments were disabled during the encounter.
Read more