Instrument Information
IDENTIFIER urn:nasa:pds:context:instrument:pvo.orad::2.2
NAME Surface Radar Mapper (ORAD) for Pioneer Venus
TYPE Radar
DESCRIPTION The Pioneer Venus Orbiter's radar altimeter (ORAD) was designed to gather data on Venus's altitude, surface temperature, and radar properties to infer its topography and geological characteristics. Operating with a 38 cm antenna, ORAD emitted low-power S-band pulses to measure surface heights with an accuracy of 150 meters and derived data on electrical conductivity and surface roughness. The instrument weighed 9.7 kg and required 18 W of power, functioning when the spacecraft was below 4700 km altitude. ORAD conducted various measurements during each 12-second rotation of the spacecraft, including multiple altimetry measurements, radiometric assessments, and calibrations, aiming for high signal-to-noise ratios. The data collected ranged from December 5, 1978, to March 23, 1981, allowing detailed profiling of the Venusian surface.
MODEL IDENTIFIER
NAIF INSTRUMENT IDENTIFIER
SERIAL NUMBER not applicable
REFERENCES Pettengill, G. H., et al., Pioneer Venus Orbiter radar mapper--design and operation, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Rem. Sens., GE-18, 28-32, Jan. 1980.

Pettengill, G. H., et al., Pioneer Venus radar mapper experiment, Science, 203, No. 4382, 806-808, Feb. 1979.

Pettengill, G. H., et al., Venus: Preliminary topographic and surface imaging results from the Pioneer Orbiter, Science, 205, No. 4401, 91-93, doi:, July 1979.

Masursky, H., et al., Pioneer Venus radar results: Geology from images and altimetry, J. Geophys. Res., 85, No. A13, 8232-8260, Dec. 1980.

Pettengill, G. H., et al., Venus: Surface electromagnetic properties, J. Geophys. Res., 93, No. B12, 14881-14892, Dec. 1988.