Space exploration has become one of the most popular sources of the world’s leading investments companies. Therefore, some missions can come to life, allowing people to explore new grounds, new fields of activities, and contribute to science. One of the tasks that can be held concerns landing on Venus and taking samples from its surface to identify whether it is possible to inhabit the planet.
The exploration of Venus has begun long ago; however, no material samples were taken. Therefore, the primary goals of this exploration will be to investigate the surface and conduct a chemical analysis of the surface components and radiogenic elements. The project is scheduled to be launched in 2026 and is likely to last till 2031. The plan costs $1 billion, and this amount is expected to increase due to the innovations needed (Ivanov & Head, 2015). The leading technology that is used is the station called “Venera-D”, the Russian automatic interplanetary station, which will land on the surface (Eismont et al., 2019; Lee et al., 2015). However, the implementation of the new machinery will be further needed to collect and transfer data from Venus to the Earth. Therefore, most modern computers are being installed in the station. European technologies can be installed on the Russian lander, and Russian ones can be installed on the European orbital module and in the balloon’s nacelle (Greenwood & Anand, 2020). It was also possible to participate in the mission of a small Japanese balloon. The mission will help humankind to identify if creating the atmosphere is possible on Venus. Moreover, it will help to investigate the land and orbit structure of the planet.
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.
Lee, Y.J., Imamura, T., Schroder, S. E., & Marcq, E. (2015). Long-term variations of the UV contrast on Venus observed by the Venus monitoring camera on board Venus express. Icarus, 253, 1-15