VENERA-3 SPACECRAFT 3MV-3 MODEL

THE FIRST SPACECRAFT TO IMPACT ON THE SURFACE OF ANOTHER PLANET
Project presentation model, large 1:10 scale, 19½ inches tall, approx 24 inches wide with 2 hinged 6½ inch solar panels, each capped with approx 5 inch diameter hinged semi-spherical radio communication instruments, "союз советских социалистических республик" stenciled in red around central portion of body, and "CCCP" stenciled in red four times around base. Body made of composite material reinforced with metal, power parts in steel, large spherical antenna in metal mesh, plastic, and copper, cylinders in polished aluminum, small details in polystyrene, objective lens in polished plexiglass, solar panels of sheet aluminum and painted plexiglass, the whole body strapped by central steel flanges. Lavochkin Research and Production Association, c.1990. Mounted onto black plastic base, with plaque reading "VENERA-3 SPACECRAFT 3MV-3. NOVEMBER 1965."

Launched from a Tyazheliy Sputnik rocket in Kazahkstan on November 16, 1965, Venera 3 was Soviet spacecraft designed to explore the surface of Venus. It contained a radio communication system, scientific instruments, electrical power sources, and medallions bearing the Coat of Arms of the Soviet Union. It's ultimate fate is still unknown, as its communications systems failed before it reached the planet, but it is assumed that it crash-landed on Venus on March 1, 1966, making it the first spacecraft to impact on the surface of another planet. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the launch and assumed landing of the spacecraft.

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