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The first European mission to Venus (Venus Express) is described. It is based on a repeated use of the Mars Express design with minor modifications dictated in the main by more severe thermal environment at Venus. The main scientific task of the mission is global exploration of the Venusian atmosphere, circumplanetary plasma, and the planet surface from an orbiting spacecraft. The Venus Express payload includes seven instruments, five of which are inherited from the missions Mars Express and Rosetta. Two instruments were specially designed for Venus Express. The advantages of Venus Express in comparison with previous missions are in using advanced instrumentation and methods of remote sounding, as well as a spacecraft with a broad spectrum of capabilities of orbital observations

PurposeThis article aims to provide an insight into the work carried out by a consortium of organizations that have an interest in space activities and to provide a focus on the knowledge architecture that is needed to ensure a viable short‐ and long‐term plan for implementing a successful knowledge management program.Design/methodology/approachThe data for the study were collected by analyzing documents, interviews, group discussions, reviewing technical specifications, and by participating in online group discussions via a dedicated knowledge management portal created for the groupFindingsGenerating and maintaining organizational knowledge and identifying lessons learned from space project management activities is a crucial activity for planning future projects. One of the most important elements in transferring knowledge is creating a knowledge management system that supports the organizational processes and is based on a sound technical foundation.Practical implicationsThis article has resulted from the sharing of knowledge, procedures, and details of technical systems between space organizations from around the world. This approach should be considered by other sectors.Originality/valueThe article describes an architectural approach to creating a knowledge management system.

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