March 1, 2022
On this date in 1980, the Soviet spacecraft Venera 13 landed on the surface of Venus and transmitted the first color images from the surface of another planet. Additionally, the spacecraft was equipped with a microphone to record atmospheric noises, and the recordings sent back were the first audio recordings from another planet. The spacecraft lasted just over 2 hours before it was crushed by the high atmospheric pressure and temperature of Venus.
Shown on the left is a model of the Venera 13 spacecraft. The images on the right are the first color images taken on the surface of Venus. It is possible to see the base of the spacecraft and the lens caps which popped off the cameras immediately after landing. Image credits: NASA/GSFC/NSSDC
