Development of Venera-15, -16 radars

Venera-15 and 16 show a family resemblance to previous stations in the way they are constructed. But because they have specific missions, the work on them demanded essentially new solutions from the designers, engineers and workers at the spacecraft factory. Venera-15 and 16 underwent a complete cycle of ground trials. Where in the previous ships the landing system was located, there now is a set of scientific equipment, especially the sidescanning radar units. Two antennas are located in the forward part. The size of the solar batteries was increased, a system of precise astro-orientation was installed, a new telemetry line was required to provide a ten-fold increase in the volume of data relayed to Earth, more fuel was required for the ships' work in orbit, etc. They were essentially new designs and therefore required a full cycle of preparation for launch and work in space as though they were totally new spacecraft.