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Venus Mobile Explorer
Missions to Venus
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VME
Venus Mobile Explorer Mission to Venus

Goals: This Flagship class mission would search for evidence of past climate change both in the atmospheric composition, interior dynamics and on the surface of Venus. The aerial spacecraft would use new technologies such as metallic bellows for long-term survival close to the hostile surface of Venus, where temperatures reach 460°C, atmospheric pressure is intense and the atmosphere is highly corrosive.

Accomplishments: This mission is a concept only.
Key Dates
This is a mission concept. No launch date has been determined yet.
Fast Facts
VME Facts The atmosphere of Venus is mostly carbon dioxide, which traps heat -- causing the surface temperatures to be about 460°C (860°F)

A Venusian year (orbital period) is about 225 Earth days long, while the planet's rotation period is 243 Earth days, making a Venus day about 117 Earth days long.

Study of climate change on Venus might answer important questions about important issues such as global warming and climate change here on Earth.
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Solar System Bodies: Venus
Images of VME
Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG)
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Last Updated: 2 Dec 2010