Low-Altitude Exploration of the Venus Atmosphere by Balloon

Abstract

The planet Venus represents an exciting target for future exploration by spacecraft. One target of scientific interest is the lower atmosphere, which represents an environment of high temperature and moderate to high atmospheric pressure. This represents a considerable challenge to the technical art of ballooning, but one which may be amenable to solution. Several possible designs for low-altitude balloons are discussed. Conceptual design for three mission examples are analyzed: a conventional balloon operating below the cloud level at an altitude of 25 kilometers, a large rigid-envelope balloon operating near the surface at an altitude of 5 kilometers, and a small, technology demonstrator rigid-envelope balloon operating at 5 kilometers.

HERRO Missions to Mars and Venus using Telerobotic Surface Exploration from Orbit

“…6 Scientific interest in Venus ranges from the highest levels of the atmosphere to the planet interior (e.g., the cloud level, low altitudes below the clouds, the surface and subsurface). There have been proposed science missions involving orbiters, high-altitude balloons, 20 low-altitude balloons, 21,22 solar-powered aircraft, 23 airships, 24 landed surface missions, 20 rovers, 25 and sample return rockets. 22 Each of these mission concepts would investigate different portions of the total spectrum of Venus science.…”