5 January
1969: On 5 January 1969, the Soviet Venera 5 probe was launched towards Venus to obtain atmospheric data.
On arrival, a capsule weighing 405 kilograms and containing scientific instruments was jettisoned from the main spacecraft. During its descent towards the surface of Venus, a parachute opened to slow the rate of descent. On 16 May 1969, while the capsule was suspended from the parachute, data about the Venusian atmosphere were returned for 53 minutes.
