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A way to explore Venus

A way to explore Venus

NASA Langley Research Center
1 HN recommenders · discussed 2019–2021
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About this video

A NASA Langley concept video for HAVOC, a lighter-than-air vehicle that would carry two astronauts on a 30-day mission in Venus's upper atmosphere. It explains why the planet's surface is so hostile and why the clouds are more habitable.

Why it appears in the archive

HN shares it as the go-to visual for the idea of crewed blimps floating above Venus.

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From the Hacker News discussion

Something1234 · 2019-03 · rec

There's this real cool concept about a manned blimp that was produced by NASA a few years ago. It has a really cool video to go with it too. [VIDEO]

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blotter_paper · 2019-06 · reference

I know this isn't what you mean by "studied," but here's a NASA produced video mockup of manned blimps over Venus: [VIDEO]

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palisade · 2020-03 · reference

A floating habitat on Venus is actually more attractive. Venus (upper atmosphere): -human livable temperatures with modest temperature control -Earth-like pressure (Himalayans) leads to slow leaks that can be patched, and pressure can be increased inside to stop the leaks inward -protected by thick atmosphere from radiation, meteors, asteroids -strong magnetic field against radiation -atmosphere still thin enough for solar panel energy use -the sulfuric acid atmosphere requires a Teflon coating and/or mixing Teflon particles with the metals during fabrication -the escape velocity from the upper atmosphere is low and requires a small rocket and not much fuel, leaving more fuel for return trips -distance between Earth and Venus is 3 months, versus 6 months to a 1 year depending on the window of opportunity.. that means you can rescue crews faster, get them supplies quicker, and replace crew sooner on Venus -oxygen on Venus has a strong lifting power, you can float entire heavy concrete and steel cities on massive platforms, think cloud city from Star Wars(tm) -aerodynamics work similarly to Earth; airships (dirigibles), airplanes, drones are all possible here Concept mission to Venus compliments of NASA: [VIDEO] Mars: -inhospitable temperatures not suitable for human or plant life -explosive decompression due to a micro-meteorite causing a hole -no atmosphere to protect against radiation or projectiles -weak magnetic field providing no protection -violent unpredictable wind sto

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_Microft · 2021-07 · reference

There is a concept by NASA for such a mission, it is called "High Altitude Venus Operational Concept" or "HAVOC" [0]. They also made a demo video for it [1]. [0] [LINK] [1] [VIDEO]

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