Back in 1981, the Soviet space program launched two identical spacecraft, Venera 13 and Venera 14.
Launched just five days apart, the objective
of the mission was to study the dense atmosphere and mysterious surface of our neighbouring
planet, Venus. Both of the descent probes carried a payload
of scientific equipment, most of which was sealed in an airtight pressure vessel designed
to withstand the scorching temperature and crushing atmospheric pressure that can be
found on Venus. Surprisingly, each probe exceeded its planned
design life, while sending back important information about the shrouded planets surface
conditions. The landing probes were able to capture incredible
colour panoramic images of there surroundings and drill into the Venusian ground to analyse
the dry black, rocky soil that they landed upon. Revealing the mysterious planets desolate
environment. But what many of you may not know, is that
both of the probes were also equipped with microphones that were designed to record atmospheric
wind noise in an effort to measure wind speed.
Unfortunately, a lot of the data it seems is still unavailable online and so I
could not find the Venera 13 sound recording. However, the Venera 14 sound recording is
available, allowing us to listen to the historic moment that the ambitious probe landed and
captured the eerie sounds that surrounded it.
So sit back, plug in your headphones and immerse yourself into a 40-year-old soundscape that
was captured from the surface of the hellish planet, Venus.
This amazing audio recording was only the second time the surface of another planet
had been heard, the first being Venera 13 as mentioned before. You can hear what sounds
like eerie white noise, or static in the background and the gentle blow of the Venusian wind.
You can also hear the probe as it completes its procedures, such as the muffled bang of
the camera lens cap being removed by pyrotechnic charges, the mechanical groin of the drilling
operation and even the scattered rumble of soil being dropped into the analysation chamber.
Although the sound quality isn't great, you are nonetheless hearing the captured noise
of another world. Later analysis of the data determined that
the average wind speed on the surface of Venus is around 0.3 and 0.5 metres per second, which
is 0.98 and 1.64 feet per second. Revealing that the dense atmosphere at the surface is
surprisingly calm and that the scorched landscape is almost untouched by wind erosion.
Amongst all of the achievements made over the years by space agencies around the world,
the exploration of Venus in the 1970s and 80s by the Soviet Union is by far one of the
most impressive. What landing probes like Venera 14 accomplished
back then was nothing short of amazing. Not only did it survive for nearly an hour in
an extremely hostile environment, but it also sent back fundamental scientific data and
provided the people of Earth the chance to look and listen to an alien world, as if you
were there standing on its surface at that very moment.
If you would like to learn more about Venus and its scalding surface then check out my
channel, there are loads more videos to watch. Remember to hit the subscribe button and the
like button if you enjoyed this video and make sure to check back soon because there
is plenty more to come. Thank you so much for watching and I'll see you next time.