DAVINCI: Deep atmosphere venus investigation of noble gases, chemistry, and imaging

Was Venus the first habitable world of our solar system?

“…High resolution radar and global near-infrared mapping will help clarify both ancient and recent levels of geologic activity, informing comparisons with terrestrial tectonic style and history [Smrekar et al 2016]. In situ measurements of rare gases and their isotopes, currently highly uncertain, as well as precision measurements of D/H and other stable isotope ratios, will greatly refine current constraints on the atmospheric and climatic history of this nearby Earth-sized planet [Glaze et al 2016].…”

The Geologically Supervised Spectral Investigation as a Key Methodology for Identifying Volcanically Active Areas on Venus

“…Their results demonstrate what can be still achieved using the (relatively low resolution) Magellan radar data set but it also shows what could be potentially obtained by higher resolution radar data which are going to be provided from future missions to Venus, such as the European Space Agency's EnVision mission (Ghail et al., 2012, 2020) or the NASA's Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography & Spectroscopy mission (i.e., Smrekar et al., 2020). The Deep Atmosphere of Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry and Imaging, Plus (DAVINCI+) (Garvin et al., 2020; Glaze et al., 2017, 2018) and Venera‐D (Senske et al., 2017; Zasova et al., 2019) missions will instead provide more detailed data on the structure and thermal profiles of the Venusian atmosphere. DAVINCI+ will also image the surface below the cloud deck, while Venera‐D will obtain and analyze a sample of the surface material at the landing site.…”

Mass spectrometry and planetary exploration: A brief review and future projection

“…For example, the SAM gas processing system includes two wide‐range pumps, six gas chromatograph columns, 16 manifolds, 52 microvalves, and 60 individual heaters, requiring more power during operations (50 W or greater, depending on the experiment) than earlier QMS generations, reinforcing the trade‐off between science return and resource requirements. Today, quadrupole mass filters remain highly competitive sensors in the formulation of new mission concepts, such as the DAVINCI Venus probe that was a finalist in the NASA Discovery 13 mission competition. However, other types of mass analyzers and next generation technologies (both discussed further below) are beginning to challenge the dominion of QMS instruments by offering higher precision/accuracy and more advanced analytical modes (eg, tandem mass spectrometry, or MS n ).…”