Living On Venus

NASA scientists have thought up a possible concept that involves humans living in Venus’ atmosphere in a floating city. There has always been talk about humans going to Mars because it is the planet that is the most like Earth with its qualities. Earth’s atmospheric chemistry is closest to Mars, and the average temperature isn’t dangerously cold either (-63ºC). Earth and Mars have large polar caps that are suspected to be mainly composed of water ice. Venus is also so similar to Earth to the fact that it’s often called “Earth’s twin”.  

Venus’s size, mass, density, gravity, and composition are similar to Earth. The reason why scientists are really looking to put humans on Venus is because it’s the hottest planet in the solar system. Its surface temperatures reach 465oC (870oF). It is also buried in a very dense atmosphere with clouds of toxic Sulfuric Acid. Its crushing surface pressure is about 90 times ours. The Langley Research Center has thought of some interesting ideas for a potential mission. It’s called the High Altitude Venus Operational Concept (HAVOC). This is made up of a series of trips that would start off by sending a robot into the atmosphere to test it out. After a 30 day crewed orbital mission would take place. Then, if that is successful, the next mission would involve a crewed 30 day crewed venture in Venus’ atmosphere. This would lead up to humans spending a year in the atmosphere, or even establishing a permanent residence in a floating “City” NASA thought up helium-filled, solar-powered airships, and the robotic version would be 31 meters long. The crewed vehicle would be almost 130 meters in length. The top would have solar panels; a gondola would be built beneath. The manned vehicle would be a habitat for humans. An ascent robot would be used to send back to Earth and to enter Venus’ orbit.