Overview:

Venus Express is a follow on from the Mars Express mission. Many of the instruments on the mission are simply upgraded versions of those on the Mars Express platform. After a 153 day cruise to Venus the spacecraft entered Venusian orbit on 11 April 2006.

Objectives:

A set of key questions have been identified that formulate gaps in our current knowledge of Venus:

• What is the mechanism and what is the driving force of the super-rotation of the atmosphere?

• What are the basic processes in the general circulation of the atmosphere?

• What is the composition and chemistry of the lower atmosphere and the clouds?

• What is the past and present water balance in the atmosphere?

• What is the role of the radiative balance and greenhouse effect in the past present and future evolution of the planet?

• Is there currently volcanic and/or tectonic activity on the planet?

Experiments:  

• ASPERA-4 Neutral and ionised plasma analysis

• MAG Magnetic field measurements

• PFS Atmospheric vertical sounding by infrared Fourier spectroscopy

• SPICAV Atmospheric spectrometry by star or Sun occultation

• VeRa Radio sounding of atmosphere

• VIRTIS Spectrographic mapping of atmosphere and surface

• VMC Ultraviolet and visible imaging