Planet Venus Sample Return | NASA Space Technology
Can we bring a rock back from Venus, the hottest planet in the solar system? Venus’ thick clouds of sulfuric acid and scorching surface temperatures make it one of the most hostile places in the solar system. So far, no spacecraft has lasted more than a few hours on its surface. And we still do not know what Venusian rocks are made of. However, a bold new idea could change everything.
This mission concept combines innovative uses of existing technology to beat the heat on Venus:
🎈 A balloon platform that creates fuel from the atmosphere
🛩️ A solar-powered aircraft
🚀 A rocket to launch the sample into orbit
🌍 An Earth-return vehicle that brings the sample home
This could pave the way for the first-ever Venus sample return mission, revealing long-hidden secrets of the planet's geology and reshaping our understanding of Earth's "evil" twin.
NASA 360 takes a look at the NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) that may one day bring a piece of Venus back to Earth.
Summary: At 450°C and 93 bars of atmospheric pressure, the surface of Venus is the most hostile environment to explore in the solar system. This project will pioneer a new approach to return a sample from the surface of Venus. The approach will merge an innovative carbon monoxide rocket technology to make propellant from the Venus atmosphere with innovations in high-temperature surface systems and solar aircraft.
To learn more visit: https://go.nasa.gov/3zBxgZt
To watch the in-depth presentation about this topic please visit the 2024 NIAC Symposium Vimeo site: https://vimeo.com/showcase/10973241?video=1008860866#t=9824s
Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: Sept. 5, 2025
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