Venera 9 was launched by the Soviet Union with the primary goal of exploring Venus, which had long intrigued scientists due to its extreme conditions and proximity to Earth. The spacecraft successfully landed on October 22, 1975, and was particularly notable for being the first to transmit images from the surface of Venus back to Earth. It provided invaluable data about the Venusian atmosphere, which is predominantly composed of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid, creating a greenhouse effect that raises surface temperatures to around 467 degrees Celsius. Upon landing, Venera 9 operated for a brief period under hostile conditions, sending back signals for approximately 53 minutes. The mission included dual spacecraft: one orbiter to relay data and one lander that actually touched down and collected surface data. The lander sent back striking images of the rocky terrain, enabling researchers to study the geology of Venus for the first time. The landing site was located in the Phoebe region, featuring a previously unknown landscape, covered with a colorless sediment and volcanic basaltic rock. This mission exemplified the technological advancements made during the Cold War, as competing with the United States in space exploration was a significant priority for the Soviet Union.