Russian Probes Due Near Venus

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30998, 2 March 1966, Page 14

Russian Probes Due Near Venus

A.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

MOSCOW, February 28

The first of two Soviet space probes now nearing Venus, is scheduled to pass the earth’s sister planet tomorrow or soon after, the Associated Press reported.

The second, launched into an orbit around the sun four days later, is due near Venus about next Saturday.

The Russians have made no announcements on the progress of the two Venus probes since December 24, when they were about a third of the way to Venus. But the president of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, Dr. Mstislav Kedlysh told a news conference on February 10 that both were due near Venus about March 1. He said then that radio communication with both probes was continuing. The satellites, Venus II land Venus HI were launched [last November 12 and November 16, in an effort “to add

to our knowledge and obtain additional information about Venus and outer space,” a brief official announcement said.

The most spectacular scientific data on Venus to date has come from the United States Mariner II satellite, which passed within 21.648 miles of Venus on December 14, 1962. The first Soviet attempt, Venus I. passed within 362,000 miles of Venus in 1961. Its radio died shortly after launching and it failed to provide data. Western experts say the Russians have tried at least six unannounced Venus shots that failed.