Launched in 1984 by the Soviet Union, the twin Vega spacecraft were part of an international armada of missions to Halley's Comet during its approach to the inner solar system in 1986. Both Vega spacecraft also flew by Venus and released a surface probe before reaching the comet. Join geographer Andrew Johnston as he discusses the Vega engineering model and other Vega instruments on display in the Museum and explores how our understanding of the solar system has been altered by missions to comets.  

Meet at the nose of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird in the Boeing Aviation Hangar.

About the Ask an Expert Series: A few times a month at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, a Museum staff member talks to the public about the history, collection, or personalities related to a specific artifact or exhibition in the Museum. For topics of upcoming Ask and Expert talks at the Udvar-Hazy Center, click here.

 In 1984 the Soviet Union launched the Vega 1 and Vega 2 spacecraft, which flew by Venus and dispatched atmospheric instruments and landers, then went on to pass through the tail of Comet Halley. How to attend