before disintegrating. Probes The spacecraft carried one large and three small atmospheric probes, designed to collect data as they descended into the atmosphere of Venus. The probes did not carry photographic instruments, and were not designed to survive landing – the smaller probes were not equipped with parachutes, and the larger probe's parachute was expected to detach as it neared the ground. All four probes continued transmitting data until impact; however, one survived and continued to transmit data from the surface. Large probe The large probe carried seven experiments, contained within a sealed spherical pressure vessel. The science experiments were: LNMS – neutral mass spectrometer to measure the atmospheric composition LGC – gas chromatograph to measure the atmospheric composition LSFR – solar flux radiometer to measure solar flux penetration in the atmosphere LIR – infrared radiometer to measure distribution of infrared radiation LCPS – cloud particle size spectrometer to measure particle size and shape LN – nephelometer to search for cloud particles temperature, pressure, and acceleration sensors This pressure vessel was encased in a nose cone and aft protective cover. After deceleration from initial atmospheric entry at about near the equator on the night side of Venus, a parachute was deployed at altitude. The large probe was about in diameter and the pressure vessel itself was in diameter. Small probes Three identical small probes, around in diameter, were deployed. These probes consisted of spherical pressure vessels surrounded by an aeroshell, but unlike the large probe, they had no parachutes and the aeroshells did not separate from the probes. The science experiments were: a neutral mass spectrometer to measure the atmospheric composition a gas chromatograph to measure the atmospheric composition SNFR – solar flux radiometer to measure solar flux penetration in the atmosphere an infrared radiometer to measure distribution of infrared radiation MTUR – cloud particle size spectrometer to measure particle size and shape SN – nephelometer to search for cloud particles SAS – temperature, pressure, and acceleration sensors The radio signals from all four probes were also used to characterize the winds, turbulence, and propagation in the atmosphere. The small probes were each targeted at different parts of the planet and were named accordingly. The North probe entered the atmosphere at about 60 degrees north latitude on the day side. The Night probe entered on the night side. The Day probe entered well into the day side, and was the