The Pioneer Venus Atmospheric Probe was a spacecraft launched by NASA in 1978 as part of the Pioneer Venus program. Its primary mission was to study the atmosphere of Venus, focusing on its composition, temperature, and pressure. The probe successfully entered the atmosphere and transmitted valuable data back to Earth before being destroyed by the extreme conditions. The probe's findings revealed that Venus has a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid. This information helped scientists understand the planet's greenhouse effect and its potential for hosting life, contributing to our knowledge of planetary atmospheres in general.