NASA NASA - Venus Technology Plan (DRAFT) December, 2018

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the challenges and considerations for operating a nuclear reactor on Venus, given its extreme surface conditions of approximately 470°C and 93 bar pressure. Participants highlight the potential of using an open Brayton cycle for energy generation, akin to jet engines. The Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) is working on updating scientific priorities for Venus exploration, which includes a comprehensive Technology Plan aimed at enhancing future missions. Key areas of focus include developing high-temperature subsystems for long-duration operations, aerial platforms for atmospheric measurements, and in situ instruments for landed missions. The ongoing efforts emphasize the need for innovative technologies to explore and understand Venus effectively.
Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
22,370
Reaction score
7,212
This discussion relates to another thread on the feasibility of operating a nuclear reactor on Venus.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ure-nuclear-reactor-operate-in-venus.1003619/

Venus represents a hostile environment with a surface temperature of ~470°C and pressure of 93 bar (1,350 psi), with a composition of 0.965 CO2, 0.035 N2, and traces of other gases like SO2, Ar, H2O, CO, . . . . Yet, there are folks giving it serious consideration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Venus

I'd recommend an open Brayton cycle, as in a jet engine-rocket motor.

The Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) resolved to update the scientific priorities and strategies for Venus exploration. To achieve this goal, three major tasks were defined to update: (1) the document prioritizing Goals, Objectives and Investigations for Venus Exploration: (GOI), (2) the Roadmap for Venus Exploration (RVE) that is consistent with VEXAG priorities as well as Planetary Decadal Survey priorities, and (3) the Technology Plan for future Venus missions. Here, we present the 2018 Venus Technology Plan.

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/reports/Venus-Technology-Plan-DRAFT-V1.pdf

Of interest are the areas of:
2. High-Temperature Subsystems and Components for Long-Duration (months) Surface Operations
3. Aerial Platforms for Missions to Measure Atmospheric Chemical and Physical Properties
4. In Situ Instruments for Landed Missions

Draft 2014 - https://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/reports/Venus-Technology-Plan-140617.pdf

Draft 2019 - https://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/reports/Venus-Technology-Plan-Final-Draft-070119.pdf

pdf - https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/10-20-2020/docs/D25349F5A7C9976B74F8D803827E58401D75255C2C09

Enjoy reading and learning.
 
Last edited:

Thread 'Radiation Hard Electronic Design for LVO Long Mission'

Venus does not have a magnetosphere, so the Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) environment shall be much worse than in a LEO environment. Looking to the std radiation models for Venus, the standard radiation-hard space level electronic component with tested immunity LET = 85 MeV-cm2/mg seems not enough, so, for example, a 1cm2 Si die will suffer considerable flux above this level during a long mission (10 years for example). So, the question is, usually we are not paying attention to latch-up...
View full post »

Thread 'Space Stuff and Launch Info'

Due to the constant never ending supply of "cool stuff" happening in Aerospace these days I'm creating this thread to consolidate posts every time something new comes along. Please feel free to add random information if its relevant. So to start things off here is the SpaceX Dragon launch coming up shortly, I'll be following up afterwards to see how it all goes. :smile: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/
View full post »
Thread 'SpaceX Starship development: 7th flight January 10'

Thread 'SpaceX Starship development: 7th flight January 10'

Watch the progress live This is a fully stacked Starship (top) and Super Heavy (bottom). A couple of too-small-to-see cars near the bottom for scale, I also added a Saturn V and the Statue of Liberty for comparison. 120 meters tall, about 5000 tonnes when fully fueled. Twice the mass and over twice the thrust of Saturn V. The largest rocket ever built by mass, thrust, height, and payload capacity. N1 had the largest diameter.[/size] But its size is not the revolutionary part. It is designed...
View full post »

Similar threads

NASA NASA - Bimodal NTP/NEP with a Wave Rotor Topping Cycle
Replies
1
Views
4K
NASA NASA's Mars Plan May Include a Yearlong Mission to the Moon
Replies
25
Views
4K
Radioistope Power Systems (RPS) and Pu-238
Replies
0
Views
2K
Human factors, technology and deep space missions
Replies
7
Views
1K
News The US Digital Service, aka DOGE
Replies
2
Views
1K
Atomic displacements, replacements, and radiation damage of structural materials
Replies
1
Views
741
A Experiments probing the macroscopic limits of QM
Replies
45
Views
12K
Is the NERVA Program's Decline a Setback for Nuclear Space Propulsion?
Replies
2
Views
3K
Is the Future of Space Exploration Dependent on Nuclear Thermal Rockets?
Replies
1
Views
5K
Hydrogen-Boron Plasma Toroid Fusion
Replies
4
Views
7K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top