Aerobraking the Magellan Spacecraft in Venus Orbit

A spacecraft which was not designed for atmospheric entry was successfully flown in the sensible atmosphere of Venus during the periapsis passes of more than 700 orbits, thus becoming the first spacecraft to demonstrate the use of aerobraking to significantly alter the shape of its orbit at another planet. This experimental operation utilized the force imparted by atmospheric drag near periapsis to reduce the altitude of apoapsis by nearly 8000 km using little propellant. A description of the Magellan spacecraft is briefly reviewed; its configuration and operation during aerobraking is discussed, as are its behavior in the atmosphere, concerns for possible damage, the resulting orbit, and the unique demands placed on the spacecraft controllers and JPL's Deep Space Network tracking facility (DSN), during the aerobraking operation.