Venus Express (VEX) is the first Venus exploration mission of the European Space Agency. Launched in November 2005, it arrived at Venus in April 2006 and has been continuously sending back science data from its polar orbit around Venus. Equipped with seven science instruments, the main objective of the mission is the long term observation of the Venusian atmosphere. The observation over such long periods of time has never been done in previous missions to Venus, and is key to a better understanding of the atmospheric dynamics. It is hoped that such studies can contribute to an understanding of atmospheric dynamics in general, while also contributing to an understanding of climate change on Earth. The mission is currently funded by ESA through 31 December 2014.
Additional Info
- Lead Nation: Europe
- Project Website: on ESA site
- Project Wikipedia Page: on Wikipedia
Latest from Copernical Team
- Wind-battered Lick Observatory rushes to shield historic telescope after dome damage
- The year's first meteor shower and supermoon clash in January skies
- Fireworks from space
- Space Themed Casino Games Slots, Rockets, and Astronaut Adventures
- Time-expanded network model cuts complexity in mega constellation launch planning
- SSC ground stations to support NASA PExT wideband Ka band test
- Space-traveled mouse gives birth as China names pioneering "flying mice" crew
- China harnesses nationwide system to drive spaceflight and satellite navigation advances
- Fly through Webbs cosmic vistas celebrates four years of James Webb discoveries
- Before we build on the moon, we have to master the commute
