NASA Plans Two Missions to Venus in the Early 2030s

<p>Planetary scientists have noted that the exploration of Venus has not been a focus for over a generation. However, this is set to change with two NASA missions planned for launch in the early 2030s.</p><p>The first mission, named the Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging (DAVINCI), is scheduled for launch in December 2030, which is a year earlier than previously planned. DAVINCI will deploy a parachute-assisted descent probe to collect data from Venus's atmosphere and return the first direct images of the planet's surface since 1982. The second mission, Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy (VERITAS), is slated for launch in November 2032 and will map the surface of Venus using radar from orbit.</p><p>Additionally, the European Space Agency is developing an orbiter called Envision, which is also set for launch in 2032. The exploration of Venus may commence as early as next year, with Rocket Lab planning to launch a privately funded probe to investigate potential organic material in the planet's clouds.</p>