NASA's first Venus missions in over three decades are now on track for launch in the early 2030s. DAVINCI will launch December 2030, descending through Venus's atmosphere with a probe to capture the first direct surface images since 1982. VERITAS will follow in November 2032, mapping the planet's surface via radar from orbit. Europe's Envision orbiter is also scheduled for a 2032 launch, while Rocket Lab aims to deploy a private cloud-probe as early as late 2027. These missions come after budget cuts previously threatened Venus exploration, with NASA withdrawing from a European partnership.
Venus remains less mapped than Mars despite being Earth's nearest planetary neighbor. Its harsh conditions—93 times Earth's atmospheric pressure and 872°F surface temperatures—make landing extremely challenging. NASA's last Venus mission, Magellan (1989-1994), provided low-resolution radar maps.
Scientists see Venus as a key to understanding planetary evolution and potential runaway greenhouse effects.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing