Instrument Host Information
INSTRUMENT_HOST_ID V15
INSTRUMENT_HOST_NAME VENERA 15
INSTRUMENT_HOST_TYPE SPACECRAFT
INSTRUMENT_HOST_DESC
Instrument Host Overview  ========================    The main source for this text is the National Space Science Data Center.    The spacecraft was based on modifications to the orbiter portions of the    Venera 9 and 14 probes. It consisted of a 5 m long cylinder with a 6 m    diameter, 1.4 m tall parabolic dish antenna for the synthetic aperture    radar at one end. A 1 meter diameter parabolic dish antenna for the radio    altimeter was also located at this end. The electrical axis of the radio    altimeter antenna was lined up with the axis of the cylinder. The    electrical axis of the synthetic aperture radar deviated from the    spacecraft axis by 10 degrees. During imaging, the radio altimeter would    be lined up with the center of the planet (local vertical) and the    synthetic aperture radar would be looking off to the side at 10 degrees.    A bulge at the opposite end of the cylinder held fuel tanks and    propulsion units. Two square solar arrays extended like wings from the    sides of the cylinder. A 2.6 m radio dish antenna for communications was    also attached to the side of the cylinder.
REFERENCE_DESCRIPTION N/A