NASA - Venus Technology Plan (DRAFT) December, 2018

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SUMMARY

The NASA Venus Technology Plan (DRAFT) from December 2018 outlines critical strategies for future exploration of Venus, focusing on the development of high-temperature subsystems, aerial platforms, and in situ instruments. The document emphasizes the need for technologies capable of withstanding Venus's extreme conditions, including surface temperatures of approximately 470°C and pressures of 93 bar. The Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) has prioritized these areas to enhance scientific investigations and align with the Planetary Decadal Survey. Key recommendations include utilizing an open Brayton cycle for energy generation in harsh environments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of high-temperature engineering principles
  • Familiarity with atmospheric science, particularly Venus's atmospheric composition
  • Knowledge of aerospace engineering, specifically jet engine and rocket motor design
  • Awareness of planetary exploration strategies and mission planning
NEXT STEPS
  • Research high-temperature materials suitable for Venus missions
  • Explore the design and functionality of open Brayton cycle systems
  • Investigate aerial platform technologies for atmospheric measurements
  • Study in situ instrumentation for planetary surface analysis
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, planetary scientists, mission planners, and anyone involved in the development of technologies for extreme environments in planetary exploration.

Astronuc
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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.
 
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