The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to pursue space exploration. Although the institution carries out its studies on other galaxies, it keeps our solar system in focus. Recently, the new target has been Venus.
NASA to begin Venus exploration with ‘Aerobot’ balloon
Venus has been attracting the attention of space scientists lately. NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the New Zealand spaceflight company Rocket Lab have rolled up their sleeves for a new project. Within the scope of the project, he plans to fly a balloon called Aerobot in the atmosphere of the planet.
NASA began testing the balloon over Nevada’s Black Rock desert. Tested twice, the prototype successfully survived the process. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket and Photon spacecraft will be used for launch, scheduled for 2023. The mission is the first private space mission to Venus.
Sending a spaceship to the planet Venus presents some challenges, even for today’s technology. The extremely high pressure, intense heat and corrosive gases on the planet can render spacecraft unusable within minutes. Scientists want to place the balloon in the air in a safe area.
The Aerobot will find itself at a point in the Earth’s atmosphere that is similar to the pressure at 55 kilometers. This point corresponds to a kilometer above the ground on Venus. The balloon is sent to analyze the magnetic waves produced by Venus earthquakes and the chemical composition of its clouds.
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