Short Wave Let's Go Back To Venus!
Jan 19, 2021
Geoff Brumfiel, an NPR science correspondent specializing in planetary science, advocates for a renewed focus on Venus in space exploration. He discusses the historical significance of past missions, the planet's intriguing characteristics, and the controversial presence of phosphine that hints at microbial life. Brumfiel introduces a bold concept for an interplanetary blimp mission, exploring Venus's upper atmosphere, while also highlighting the benefits of targeting Venus over Mars for future missions and the potential for groundbreaking discoveries.
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Early Venus Exploration
- Mariner 2, the first spacecraft sent to another planet, targeted Venus, not Mars.
- The Soviets also landed Venera 7 on Venus in 1970, marking the first successful probe landing.
Venus vs. Mars
- Venus is closer to Earth than Mars and shares similarities in size and a thicker atmosphere.
- However, Venus's extreme heat and poisonous gases make it inhospitable for human exploration, causing probes to quickly melt.
Venus's Climatic Shift
- Scientists believe Venus once had oceans and a more Earth-like environment billions of years ago.
- A runaway greenhouse effect, caused by volcanic CO2 emissions and evaporating oceans, led to Venus's current extreme climate.