Astronomy Observation Log 3.3 (Astronomy Cast - Exploration of Venus)

Apparently, the planet Venus has also been the subject of a number of in-depth explorations, even if these efforts haven't been as publicized as those of Mars.

The science fiction interpretation of the past was interesting and almost funny- the speakers recount a story, perhaps by Asimov, that was adapted into a movie in which people lived on the warm wet world that was Venus, which would only be clear of rain every 20 years. One child was stuck inside during the "fun" of a clear day, which seemed sad at first, except the kids that went out to play all died horrible deaths burning in sulfuric acid. He ended up being lucky for being unlucky.

Scientists had no clue what was going on with Venus. From Earth we could see it had an atmosphere and that it had phases. By 1960 when we started bouncing radio waves off the surface we could see it was a rocky planet. It was not until 1962 we knew it was a "hell-scape" with insanely high temperatures, totally unfit to be considered a planet capable of harboring life. In the 60s there were many failed missions to Venus.

"Venera 4" in 1967 finally measured the atmosphere of Venus- not only was it hot there, it was 95% carbon dioxide, totally different from what astronomers expected. The atmosphere is so thick (it's 22 miles thick) it could almost crush spacecrafts. Many engineering challenges were faced.  Probes, devices and communication methods indeed need to be able to penetrate through 22 miles of sulphuric hail.

In the late 1970s, through the "Pioneer" program we sent four different probes through Venus' atmosphere to take data as they traveled- not only did the atmosphere have extremely high pressure, but we learned the winds are incredibly turbulent. Yet a certain altitude in the cloud layer, you can get a pressure and temperature that are the same as those found on Earth (even though you couldn't breathe the air, you could sit outside in this area if you were on some floating station).

Venus is fascinating to observe, with evidence of past oceans, vortexes in the polar region of the atmosphere near the South Pole, and the presence of hydroxyls. The main problem is protecting the instruments against the intense heat...  After that, the pressure bearing down on all sides is the problem. At least the Russians have got some steel-reinforced drawing boards! The Russians have historically seemed to have the upper hand in Venus exploration.