![]() ![]() ![]() The 25 th of May 2017 was a significant date in the history of the region, not only because it marked the first test flight of the Electron rocket from the Mahia site, but because it represented the merging of two long journeys of innovation and discovery. These days, however, a very distinct sound will be heard on Mahia Peninsula – the occasional, 30-second roar of an Electron engine sending Rocket Lab satellites into space. RELATED ARTICLE: Is There Life on Venus? NASA Sending 2 Space Missions To Find Evidence of Existence in the Hottest Planet in the Solar SystemĬheck out more news and information on Venus in Science Times.The name ‘Mahia’ is a Māori word meaning ‘indistinct sound’ – and for many years, that’s mostly what could be heard atop the rugged, windswept peninsula on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island – be it the distant sounds of ocean waves crashing beneath white cliffs, or local tui birds or an occasional murmur from one of the surrounding sheep or beef farms. The specific details regarding the progress of Rocket Lab's mission to Venus, which could be the first-ever private mission to the planet, have not yet been disclosed by the company. However, a catastrophic event known as a "resurfacing event" occurred, releasing a substantial amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and rendering Venus unsuitable for life. Previous scientific findings, such as NASA's Pioneer Venus spacecraft in 1978, have hinted at the existence of past shallow oceans on Venus's surface, sparking intermittent interest from the scientific community.Īccording to a study, Venus might have sustained shallow oceans for a duration of two to three billion years. Despite being commonly referred to as Earth's twin, Venus is believed to have undergone significant changes from a potentially habitable planet to its current hostile state. READ ALSO: Can We Live in Venus? Yes, But Only If We Encase It in Giant Shell Venus Missions: Why Scientists Are Interested In This Planet?Īs Interesting Engineering reported, both Earth and Venus originated approximately 4.6 billion years ago, suggesting a similar timeframe for their formation. The mission aims to contribute valuable insights into the potential for life on Venus. The probe's data will be transmitted back to Earth before the harsh conditions at the planet's surface destroy it. Although the detection of these molecules wouldn't directly prove the existence of microbial life on Venus, it could indicate a more habitable environment than previously thought. The probe's journey to Venus will last five months, with a brief data collection period of just three to five minutes as it descends through Venus' atmosphere.ĭuring its descent, the probe will search for complex organic molecules, analyzing their composition, concentration, and shapes. According to, the 15-inch probe, weighing 45 pounds, will be launched on Rocket Lab's Electron rocket and carried to Venus by the Photon spacecraft bus. ![]() Rocket Lab's proposed probe, funded by the company, MIT, and philanthropists, is designed to reach Venus before NASA's upcoming missions and at a significantly lower cost. Despite Venus being known for its extreme temperatures, there are indications that microbial life may be able to survive in its skies, where conditions are more Earth-like.ĭuring discussions about the mission, Rocket Lab's founder and CEO Peter Beck said that the discovery of phosphine in the clouds of Venus in 2020, a compound associated with microbial life on Earth, has renewed scientific interest in the planet. ![]() Rocket Lab first announced its plans for a Venus mission aimed at investigating the planet's atmosphere in search of conditions conducive to life in 2020. First Private Mission to Venus Postponed Until January 2025, Rocket Lab Announces Proposed First Mission to Venus ![]()
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