Meeting With the Goddess: Notes from the First Symposium on Venus Science Enabled by Human Proximity

Abstract

In July of 2022, the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) hosted a symposium entitled "Science Enabled by Human Proximity to Venus." Convened to explore the potential science that could be enabled by human mission fly-bys of Venus while en route to Mars, the symposium conversation expanded to encompass the policy and social rationales for a dedicated human mission to Venus, as well as a new concept for a potential human mission to Venus—The Venus Back-Flip. This symposium summary, compiled by contributions from symposium participants listed at the beginning of this report, is the start of a broader discussion that is likely to become more and more relevant in the coming years as the multiple human space exploration capabilities under development provide potential opportunities to execute a human mission to Venus—whether en route to Mars or as a dedicated mission. This summary will outline some of the relevant options for Venus human fly-by and orbital missions, some of the new or enhanced science investigations that could be achieved in tandem with human fly-by or orbital missions, why integrating Venus into the overall Moon-to-Mars strategy may be valuable, how social and cultural activities might advance human missions to Venus, and why Venus may deserve its own journey of exploration independent of other destinations. This report is a summary of the discussions, observations, and ideas that were generated at the symposium. The summary is written primarily for three types of audiences: human spaceflight mission and campaign planners, Venus scientists and technical innovators, and individuals interested in the social aspects of organizing to promote the human exploration of Venus. The symposium revealed that Venus is a desirable human spaceflight destination in its own right. The compelling narrative of exploration combines planetary science at Venus, the search for life in its clouds, and an encounter with our sister planet that may shed light on our future climate.

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