Soviet Venus 13 relays photos, data from planet

March 3, 1982

A robot on the Soviet Venus 13 space module sent back photographs and information from Venus for 127 minutes Monday, ''four times longer than planned, withstanding immense pressure and temperature,'' before burning up in the planet's heat, the official Tass news agency said.

''Sharp rocks, semi-covered with fine dust and sand, are scattered around. One can conclude that there is little blue color on the planet's surface. The rock is mostly brownish,'' said the leading newspaper, Pravda.

Venus 14 is expected to land on schedule March 5, Tass said.