You are here

Topic: Venus

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck unveils bold vision for private Venus mission, defying convention in planetary exploration. (AP) Space 

Exploring the Unknown: Rocket Lab Launches Mission to Venus in Search of Life!

Sanjay Patil,

Rocket Lab, a private aerospace company, is revolutionizing planetary exploration by embarking on a groundbreaking mission. Unlike traditional government-led initiatives by NASA and other agencies, Rocket Lab is defying the belief that interplanetary exploration necessitates massive budgets and government support. Instead, they are set to launch the first-ever private mission to investigate Venus for signs of microbial life, marking a paradigm shift in this field. CEO Peter Beck sees a departure from the norm, stating, “A private company is going to another planet for tens of millions of dollars to…

Read More
ISRO Director Dr. M Sankaran reveals plans for India’s Mars and Venus missions within five years. (ISRO/Twitter) Space 

India’s Space Odyssey: Exploring Venus and Mars in the Next 5 Years!

Adarsh V.K, ,

According to Dr. M Sankaran, Director of the UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru, India’s space exploration efforts are reaching unprecedented levels as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sets its sights on Venus and Mars missions within the next five years. After accomplishing a smooth landing on the Moon and initiating a mission to investigate the Sun, ISRO is now preparing to conquer uncharted territories in outer space. Dr. Sankaran, head of the satellite unit responsible for putting several Indian satellites into orbit, shared insights on the challenges and…

Read More
The revelation came in 2021 when the Parker Solar Probe executed a routine flyby of Venus. (Nasa) Space 

NASA Parker Solar Probe Uncovers Astonishing Discovery: Meteors Crashing on Venus May Be Causing Lightning

Febin Mathew, ,

NASA is conducting a range of space missions aimed at unraveling the mysteries of the universe. Among these missions, the Parker Solar probe is of great significance. This spacecraft has been assigned the task of orbiting the Sun to gather vital information regarding sunspots, solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CME), and solar storms. Interestingly, during its journey, the probe regularly passes by Venus, which has provided an opportunity to potentially solve a long-standing puzzle for scientists. It has discovered that the lightning observed on Venus might not be lightning after…

Read More
ISRO plans Venus mission called Shukrayaan-1 to study the planet's surface and atmosphere. (Nasa) Space 

ISRO Aims for Shukrayaan-1 Following Success of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1

Nitin Misra,

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is once again making strides in space exploration. Following the triumphant landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon and the successful launch of India’s inaugural solar mission, Aditya-L1, ISRO is now directing its attention towards Venus, the neighboring planet of Earth. S Somanath, the Chairman of ISRO, has disclosed that the Venus mission, also referred to as the Shukrayaan-1 mission, is advancing steadily. ISRO is now preparing for its upcoming significant endeavor. Why Venus? Venus is a fascinating place. Its atmosphere is thick, about 100…

Read More
Venus is the hottest planet in the Solar System, where surface temperatures soar to 900 degrees fahrenheit. (AP) News 

Surprising Discovery: Venus is the Hottest Planet in the Solar System

Febin Mathew,

Venus, often called Earth’s “sister planet” due to its comparable size and composition, surpasses all other planets in our solar system in terms of scorching temperatures. Remarkably, it even outshines Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun, making it the hottest planet in our cosmic vicinity. Greenhouse effect on Venus Venus’s bubbling heat is primarily due to its thick atmosphere, which is composed primarily of carbon dioxide. This atmosphere creates a greenhouse effect that traps heat, leading to a rapid increase in temperature. Surface temperatures on Venus can reach as…

Read More
Parker Solar Probe's course adjustment sets stage for upcoming Venus encounter. (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center) Space 

Parker Solar Probe Completes Record-Breaking Venus Flyby

Febin Mathew, ,

On August 3, 2023, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe successfully performed a crucial maneuver using its compact thrusters. This operation was essential in keeping the probe precisely on track for its upcoming sixth Venus flyby, set to take place on August 21, 2023. Motion trajectory fine-tuning The procedure, which took just 4.5 seconds, resulted in a careful adjustment of the probe’s trajectory, moving it 77 miles. This precise targeting has significant implications, as it slightly increased the speed of the probe during its closest approach to Venus, effectively increasing the efficiency…

Read More
The next launch opportunity may be in January 2025. Space 

Rocket Lab postpones Venus atmospheric investigation launch

Jim Hendler, ,

Rocket Lab revealed plans last year to conduct an extensive search for organic molecules in the atmosphere of Venus by launching a small probe. The launch was scheduled for May 2023, but according to recent reports from TechCrunch, it is no longer imminent. The company has not disclosed a new launch date, but a research paper published in July 2022 suggests that a backup launch window is available in January 2025. News of the mission flew under the radar, as it were, but rather ambitious. Rocket Lab plans to use…

Read More