Russia Sets Sights on Venus—Again! 🚀
Imagine a cosmic reunion tour less flashy than Coachella but way hotter. Russia is gearing up to send its Venera-D mission back to Venus before 2036, and preparations are already in full swing, according to local media.
Under the country’s new national space program, preliminary design work kicks off in January 2026. Oleg Korablev, head of the Department of Planetary Physics at the Space Research Institute (IKI), shared that the draft design phase will take about two years, teaming up with the Lavochkin Association to nail down all the details.
Once the design wraps up, Russia will set a firm launch date—several experts predict liftoff around 2034 or 2035. But one thing’s certain: the mission will soar no later than 2036.
The Venera-D suite is like the ultimate space trio: an orbiter to map Venus from above, a lander to brave its scorching surface, and a balloon probe to float through its acid clouds. Think of it as the Avengers assembling to crack Venus’s hottest secrets! 💥🌋
Why does it matter? Venus is Earth’s twisted twin—crushing atmosphere, clouds of sulfuric acid, and surface temps over 450°C. Insights from Venera-D could reshape our understanding of planetary evolution and even climate change on Earth.
As the countdown begins, space fans everywhere will be watching. After all, a second rendezvous with Venus could be the plot twist we never saw coming! 🌌✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
