Once the scientific goals concerning the exploration of Venus are set, there is a need to identify the instrumentation needed to investigate its surface. In the previous part of the statement, the launch date was established as 2026, and the mission is likely to end by 2031. Apart from the start and end dates of the mission, there is a time needed to land, take samples, and conduct other investigations.
Primarily, to explore and probe the Venus’ surface, scientists need to construct a lander. There is an already existing lander named Venera-D, which is supposed to deploy its small stations and start taking soil samples once it lands. In 15 minutes after landing, the collection of Venusian soil specimens will be completed, and their analysis will begin (Eismont et al., 2019). In 45 minutes after landing, Venus-D will begin transmitting scientific data to Earth. It is expected that three hours after arrival, the station will stop working due to the overheating of its radio system. During this time, it is expected to transmit 340 MB of data to Earth (Greenwood & Anand, 2020; Ivanov & Head, 2015). This lander is supposed to carry around 120kg of tools and instruments needed for surface exploration; these tools may include the Mössbauer spectrometer, weather kit, ample collection, and processing kit, and chemical analysis package.
There will also be several mini probes based on high-temperature electronics which can operate on Venus’ lands for several thousand hours. They can be dropped in different areas of the planet, where they will monitor the atmosphere’s parameters near the surface. By implementing these instruments, the researchers will conduct various tests concerning the surface and atmosphere structure. Therefore, they will observe the atmospheric and surface parameters and will establish the interaction between these elements.
References
Eismont, N. A, Zasova, L. V., Simonov, A. V., Kovalenko, I. D., Gorinov, D. A., Abbakumov, A. S., & Bober, S. A. (2019). Venera-D mission scenario and trajectory. Solar System Research, 53(7), 578–585.
Greenwood, R. C., & Anand, M. (2020). What is the oxygen isotope composition of Venus? The scientific case for sample return from Earth’s “sister” planet. Space Science Reviews, 216(4).
Ivanov, M. A., & Head, J. W. (2015). The history of tectonism on Venus: A stratigraphic analysis. Planet Space Science, 113, 10-32.