Why we want VERITAS | The Planetary Society

Why do we might like a Venus mission?

Considered one of many good unanswered questions in planetary science is what allowed Earth to develop and preserve its habitability, whereas Venus turned a sulfurous hell.

Venus and Earth have heaps in frequent, however are very utterly totally different of their current state. Every planets have associated measurement and density, and Venus seemingly used to have associated circumstances to Earth: oceans of liquid water, a mild native climate, and totally different traits that may have made it habitable.

VERITAS would help us understand this transformation by providing for Venus the types of world, high-resolution data models which have revolutionized our understanding of Mars, Mercury, the Moon, and totally different our our bodies.

No matter its scientific curiosity, similarity to Earth, and proximity, Venus is probably going one of many lesser-studied planets in our Picture voltaic System. The ultimate NASA mission to assessment the Venusian ground from orbit was Magellan, which was energetic at Venus from 1989 to 1994. Two totally different worldwide missions have orbited Venus since: Japan’s Akatsuki, and Europe’s Venus Particular — nevertheless every centered on the Venusian ambiance fairly than its ground. At current, scientists know additional regarding the ground of Pluto than the ground of Venus whatever the latter being so much nearer to dwelling.

For these causes and further, the U.S. planetary science group’s decadal survey, which affords solutions for the next decade of science exploration, strongly endorsed the VERITAS mission.