Venus flyby and lander probe November 16, 1965 at 04:13 UTC · Launch Successful Molniya 8K78 — Soviet Space Program, to Venus flyby 31/6, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan The world's 496th orbital launch attempt, and 103rd of 1965. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image via The Space Devs.