Venus, an Astrobiology Target

Limaye, S. S.; Bullock, M. A.; Baines, K. H.; Cockell, Charles S.; Cordova, Jaime; Cutts, J. A.; Gentry, Diana; Grinspoon, David; Head, J. W.; Jessup, Kandis-Lea; Kompanichenko, Vladimir; Lee, Yeon J.; Mathies, Richard A.; Milojevic, Tetyana; Mogul, Rakesh; Pertzborn, R. A.; Rothschild, Lynn J.; Sasaki, Satoshi; Schulze‐Makuch, Dirk; Seager, Sara; Smith, David J.; Way, Michael

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.32998123

Cited by 4 publications

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“…Acidic cloud aerosols in the atmosphere of Venus, located in a region with Earth-like pressures and temperatures, could potentially host microbial life (e.g., [1][2][3][4]). Several chemical components relevant for the astrobiology and habitability of Venus are found in its atmosphere, such as H 2 , N 2 , CO, CO 2 , H 2 S, SO 2 , SO 4 , OCS, NH 4 Cl, NH 2 COOHN 4 , and H 2 O [1,[3][4][5][6]. These components could easily lead to consecutive creation of amino acids [5], which is the very first step for further biological processes [3,7].…”

Section: Introduction 1mission Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These components could easily lead to consecutive creation of amino acids [5], which is the very first step for further biological processes [3,7]. In addition, from a geocentric understanding of biogenic elements, a sufficient abundance of C, H, O, N, S, and P is needed in order to sustain microbial extremophiles in the atmosphere of Venus [2,4]. The elements C, H, O, N, and S are abundant in the middle atmosphere, but P has only been detected once [8], and more recently in the form of phosphine (PH 3 ) [9].…”

Section: Introduction 1mission Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the Habitability of Venus: Conceptual Design of a Small Atmospheric Probe

et al. 2021

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The possible presence of life in the atmosphere of Venus has been debated frequently over the last 60 years. The discussion was recently reignited by the possible detection of phosphine (PH3), but several other chemicals potentially relevant for life processes are also found in the middle atmosphere. Moreover, the reasons for the heterogeneous ultraviolet (UV) absorption between 320 and 400 nm in the altitude range ∼40–70 km are still not well understood. These aspects could be further studied in-situ by UV Raman and fluorescence instruments. Here, the conceptual design of a small balloon probe (<20 kg) is presented, including a science payload comprising a UV laser, spectrometer, and a telescope. The goal of the proposed mission is to analyse the absorption of UV light in Venus’ atmosphere, to study the atmospheric composition, and to verify the possible presence of biomarkers. Current state-of-the-art technologies would allow a more cost-efficient and easy to develop mission, as compared to previous Venus probes. This article is focused on the scientific instrumentation, as well as on the mass and power budgets required to realise the proposed mission.

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Section: Introduction 1mission Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction 1mission Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Habitability of Venus: Conceptual Design of a Small Atmospheric Probe

et al. 2021

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Exobiology of the Venusian Clouds: New Insights into Habitability through Terrestrial Models and Methods of Detection

et al. 2021

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Introducing the Venus Collection—Papers from the First Workshop on Habitability of the Cloud Layer

2021

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We introduce the collection of papers from the first workshop on the habitability of the venusian cloud layer organized by the Roscosmos/IKI-NASA Joint Science Definition Team ( JSDT) for Russia's Venera-D mission and hosted by the Space Research Institute in Moscow, Russia, during October 2-5, 2019. The collection also includes three papers that were developed independently of the workshop but are relevant to venusian cloud habitability.

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Venus, an Astrobiology Target

Abstract: A schematic representation summarizing processes in Venus' atmosphere that may support a cloud-based biosphere in Venus' lower clouds. Adapted from -Limaye et al.

Cited by 4 publications

References 39 publications

Exploring the Habitability of Venus: Conceptual Design of a Small Atmospheric Probe

Exploring the Habitability of Venus: Conceptual Design of a Small Atmospheric Probe

Exobiology of the Venusian Clouds: New Insights into Habitability through Terrestrial Models and Methods of Detection

Introducing the Venus Collection—Papers from the First Workshop on Habitability of the Cloud Layer

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