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Today in History: Venera 4 conducts first in-situ analysis of Venus

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 10:32 AM UTC · How we work

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Story summary

On 18 October 1967, the Soviet probe Venera 4 entered Venus’s atmosphere, becoming the first spacecraft to conduct direct in-situ measurements of another planet. Its lander transmitted data on temperature, pressure and atmospheric composition, confirming a carbon-dioxide-rich, 92-atm environment and proving planetary atmospheric sampling feasible.

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Story summary

On 18 October 1967, the Soviet probe Venera 4 entered Venus’s atmosphere, becoming the first spacecraft to conduct direct in-situ measurements of another planet. Its lander transmitted data on temperature, pressure and atmospheric composition, confirming a carbon-dioxide-rich, 92-atm environment and proving planetary atmospheric sampling feasible.