Why Is NASA Going Back to Venus, Called the 'Living Hell'? [Reading Science]

Two Projects Launched for Venus Atmosphere and Crust Exploration
$1 Billion Invested to Send Orbital Satellite and Probe Around 2028-2030
After 1970s-80s Missions Deemed Human Habitation Difficult, Focus Shifted to Mars
Recent Evidence of Life Signs Sparks Resumption of Exploration After 32 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is resuming exploration of Venus after 32 years. Venus is well known as the "morning star" that appears in the night sky. It once attracted attention as the "second" planet that could potentially support human habitation. This is because it is similar to Earth in size and density and is the second closest planet to the Sun after Mars in the solar system. However, interest waned after NASA's exploration results until the 1980s confirmed that the surface temperature exceeds 500 degrees Celsius and that it is a "living hell" with an extreme greenhouse effect.

On the 2nd (local time in the U.S.), NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced as part of the 'Discovery 2019' competition that the implementation of two missions for Venus exploration, DAVINCI+ and VERITAS, which were selected as candidates last February, has been finalized. Each project will receive $500 million (approximately 550 billion KRW) in funding and is expected to begin around 2028 to 2030.

The DAVINCI+ program aims to measure the composition of Venus's atmosphere and determine whether oceans once existed. Its main objective is to analyze why the greenhouse effect on Venus is much more severe than on Earth by sending a measurement probe through Venus's thick atmosphere. It will also take high-resolution photos of Venus's unique crust called "tesserae" to determine whether it has plate tectonics similar to Earth. It also includes searching for ultraviolet-absorbing substances that may exist in Venus's atmosphere using the Ultraviolet Spectrometer (CUVIS). Venus's atmosphere is known to be very thick, absorbing half of the solar energy.

The VERITAS program aims to create a map of Venus's surface to understand why its terrain differs from Earth's. A satellite orbiting Venus will be launched to create a 3D map that reveals the elevation of the entire planetary surface, which will help determine whether volcanoes or plate tectonics are active on Venus. It will measure infrared emissions from the surface to investigate the types and distribution of rocks and check whether gases emitted by active volcanoes contain water. The Deep Space Atomic Clock-2 will also be onboard, and NASA expects that the precise timing signals generated will aid in the development of autonomous spacecraft navigation and advance radio observation science.

Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA Deputy Administrator, explained, "This is a project to understand how a planet similar to Earth can become a greenhouse planet within the next decade," adding, "NASA has a profound goal of expanding research not only to understand planetary evolution or human habitability but also to exoplanets."

Experts analyze that NASA's resumption of Venus exploration is due to recent discoveries of new clues to the existence of life. NASA conducted atmospheric exploration of Venus in 1978 and launched the last Venus probe, Magellan, in 1989, which entered Venus's orbit the following year and operated for four years before ceasing activity. Instead, NASA focused on Mars, sending five exploration rovers, four orbiters, and two landers.

However, last year, an international research team led by Cardiff University in the UK announced the discovery of the hydrogen compound "phosphine" (H₃P) in Venus's atmospheric clouds, changing the atmosphere. Phosphine is produced by anaerobic microorganisms that decompose organic matter in oxygen-free environments or through industrial processes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.