Goddard Engineering and Technology Directorate

DAVINCI

A visualization of DAVINCI+ falling through the Venus atmosphere collecting samples and snapping photos before it ultimately collides with the Alpha Regio region.
DAVINCI+ will send a meter-diameter probe to brave the high temperatures and pressures near Venus’ surface to explore the atmosphere from above the clouds to near the surface of a terrain that may have been a past a continent. During its final kilometers of free-fall descent (shown here), the probe will capture spectacular images and chemistry measurements of the deepest atmosphere on Venus for the first time. Credits: NASA GSFC visualization by CI Labs Michael Lentz and others

The Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry and Imaging (DAVINCI) is a spacecraft that is looking to uncover the evolution and history of the planet Venus.

Carrying an atmospheric descent probe, the DAVINCI spacecraft will serve as a telecommunications hub by relaying information from the probe to Earth. It will also use its two onboard instruments to study Venusian clouds and map its highland areas as it flies by the planet.

Through studying Venusian cloud tops in ultraviolet light and the geology of the planet, questions regarding whether Venus was wet and habitable like Earth can hopefully be answered.

The mission is a partnership between Goddard Space Flight Center and Lockhead Martin with instrument work conducted by various other partners.

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