Global InformationVenus Atmospheric Maneuverable Platform information
Venus Atmospheric Maneuverable Platform (VAMP) is a mission concept by the aerospace companies Northrop Grumman and LGarde for a powered, long endurance, semi-buoyant inflatable aircraft that would explore the upper atmosphere of planet Venus for biosignatures[1][2] as well as perform atmospheric measurements. The inflatable aircraft has a trapezoidal shape that is sometimes called delta wing or flying wing, and would have dual electric-driven propellers that would be stowed during atmospheric entry.
The aircraft is proposed to be launched as a secondary payload on another spacecraft mission to Venus, probably on Russia's Venera-D in 2029. During daytime, VAMP would be able to make continuous science measurements, while at night the vehicle would descend to 50 km altitude where it would be fully buoyant, remain at a lower-power state, and still perform modest science measurements at the float altitude. The lower cloud layer of Venus, located between 47.5 and 50.5 km altitude, is acidic, but it is considered by some astrobiologists to be a target for exploration due to the favorable conditions for microbial life, including moderate temperatures and pressures (~60 °C and 1 atm).[3]
- ^ Astronomers ponder possible life adrift in Venus' clouds. Deborah Byrd, Earth & Sky. 31 March 2018.
- ^ Scientists Explore The Possibility Of Life Hidden Inside The Clouds Of Venus. Kritine Moore, The Inquisitr. 1 April 2018.
- ^ Sanjay S. Limaye, Rakesh Mogul, David J. Smith, Arif H. Ansari, Grzegorz P. Słowik, Parag Vaishampayan. Venus' Spectral Signatures and the Potential for Life in the Clouds. Astrobiology, 2018; doi:10.1089/ast.2017.1783