During the early years of space exploration, the Soviet Union launched several space probes to study Venus. These missions were primarily aimed at obtaining scientific data about Venus's atmosphere, surface conditions, and overall environment. The decision to send impact probes before orbiters was influenced by several factors:
Limited technology: At the time, the technology required for achieving stable orbital insertion around another planet was more complex and challenging than simply impacting its surface. The Soviet Union was still in the early stages of space exploration, and their spacecraft and navigation systems were not yet fully capable of executing successful orbital missions.
Data gathering: The Soviet Union was eager to gather as much information as possible about Venus, and an impact probe allowed for a one-time, direct measurement of the planet's conditions. The probes were designed to transmit data during their descent and survive as long as possible on the hostile Venusian surface, providing valuable scientific data before succumbing to the extreme conditions.
Cost and time constraints: Designing, building, and launching an orbiter requires more time, resources, and advanced technology compared to an impact probe. The Soviet Union wanted to quickly gain scientific knowledge about Venus while minimizing costs and development time. Impact probes offered a relatively straightforward and cost-effective way to achieve this goal.
Competition with the United States: The Soviet Union was engaged in the Space Race with the United States, and there was a sense of urgency to achieve significant milestones in space exploration. By launching impact probes, the Soviet Union could demonstrate their capabilities and make important contributions to the understanding of Venus before the United States could achieve similar milestones.
It's worth noting that the Soviet Union's early Venus missions, such as the Venera program, paved the way for subsequent missions that successfully orbited and landed on Venus. These later missions provided more detailed observations and data, further advancing our understanding of the planet.