Work

The science case for an in-situ measurement platform in the Venus clouds

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: The next step for Venus exploration after the remote sensing missions of the early 2030s will be in-situ aerial platforms, the Venus equivalent of rovers for Mars. Sophisticated Venus balloon technology is already under development and presents an opportunity for the United Kingdom to act as a bilateral partner in missions exploring key questions about the volcanic and geological history of Venus, the potential habitability of the Venus clouds, and Venus as an analogue for exoplanets. White paper written for the UKSA Space Frontiers 2035 programme.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2610.27038

Authors: Cohen, Maureen, Egan, Joanna, Airey, Martin, Aplin, Karen, Bailet, Gilles, Byrne, Paul, Castelli, Chris, Cockell, Charles, Mayne, Nathan, McGinness, Blair, Mueller-Wodarg, Ingo, Plane, John, Semprich, Julia, Sergeev, Denis, Shao, Wencheng, Stott, Alexander, Young, Roland

Language: English

Topic: Planetary Science and Exploration

Subfield: Space and Planetary Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Strong, University of Exeter, University of Southampton, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Leeds, University of Reading, University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol

OpenAlex ID: W7223106095

Cites: 45

Cited by:

Related to: 10