Things are finally looking up for NASA’s first missions to Venus in a generation

Venus exploration is set for a revival with two NASA missions planned for the early 2030s. The DAVINCI mission, launching in December 2030, will send a probe to capture the first direct images of Venus’s surface since 1982. Following this, the VERITAS mission will launch in November 2032 to map the planet’s surface using radar. Additionally, the European Space Agency’s Envision orbiter is scheduled for a 2032 launch. Rocket Lab also plans to launch a privately funded probe as early as 2027 to search for organic material in Venus’s clouds. Despite previous budget cuts and delays, scientists are optimistic about these missions, which mark a significant return to Venus exploration after decades. QUESTION: How might the renewed interest in exploring Venus influence future space exploration priorities and technologies?