Venus In Situ Sample Transfer and Analysis (VISTA)

Abstract

Venus was the target of the very first interplanetary mission, Mariner 2, and of many subsequent missions through the early decades of interplanetary exploration. After Magellan 30 years ago, US-led Venus exploration has been largely quiescent until the recent selection of NASA Discovery missions VERITAS and DAVINCI, along with NASA's participation in ESA's EnVision. These missions will address a significant number of major science questions about the past and present of Venus. Despite the expected influx of data, many crucial questions about the history of Venus will remain unresolved after the success of these missions, including those that elucidate the divergence of Venus from her sister-planet, Earth (Table 1). Understanding the significant turning points in the evolution of Venus requires knowledge that is not obtainable by the selected suite of upcoming missions, but can be attained by an innovative approach in the next ~20 years with an appropriate strategy in place.

In the same way that the Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Science Laboratory, and Mars 2020 have provided measurements that unravel the mysteries of Mars, the Venus In Situ Transfer and Analysis (VISTA) mission concept provides an opportunity to make measurements that cannot be obtained by a single, short-term in situ mission to Venus. The targeted science aims to provide detailed knowledge of the surface and atmosphere to better understand the origin and evolution of Venus, changes in its habitability and the interaction of the surface with the atmosphere. Since the surface environment of Venus is not conducive to long-term (years) surface missions akin to Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance, we propose instead a laboratory in the sky.

VISTA is an "in situ sample capture" mission, where atmospheric and geological samples are collected and brought to a laboratory on a platform floating in the Venusian atmosphere for analysis, contrasting with a true sample return mission where samples are eventually analyzed in Earth laboratories. Central to VISTA is the highly-capable Aerial Laboratory that will deliver long-duration (months to years) geologic science from multiple different surface locations, greatly expanding the science return of a surface analysis mission. Critical instruments and electronics can remain at lower temperatures and pressures to extend the mission lifetime. Housing a laboratory in the atmosphere and shuttling samples from the surface also offers unique atmospheric science opportunities.

VISTA is envisioned to be a multi-asset Flagship-class mission concept to collect samples from multiple locations on the planet surface, as well as from within the Venus atmosphere, and deliver them to a highly-capable, long-lived Aerial Laboratory for detailed analysis with modern instrumentation (Figure 1.1). VISTA employs Sampling Landers that are dropped to collect geological samples from the surface and atmospheric samples during transit. The Sampling Lander releases an Ascent Vehicle, which brings the sample into the upper atmosphere. A dedicated Sample Retriever enables rendezvous of the sample with the Aerial Laboratory, where chemical and physical analysis can be done at temperatures near 20◦C. Finally, an orbiter provides a communications relay to Earth.

Files

Additional details