Magellan was named for the famed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. It was responsible for mapping the surface of Venus with radar, revealing key information about the planet’s volcanism, gravity field, and plate movement. These marvelous discoveries continue to inform our understanding of Venus today, and make Magellan an emblem of true intrepidity.
Launched May 4th, 1989, the Magellan Spacecraft was a shining star in the history of space exploration. Magellan was the first ever planetary spacecraft to be launched by a space shuttle, and it delved deep into the mysteries of Venus over its five years in space. This handcrafted iron model captures the beauty of Magellan in miniature at 8.5 x 7 x 8 inches. It features a thruster module, rocket booster, antennae, solar panels, and more components. Shades of cerulean blue, cream, gold and silver are accurate to the original.
