its dense atmosphere traps heat from the sun, leading to temperatures of more than a70 celsius in places. interest in venus was rekindled after astronomers said they had detected a molecule in the clouds which could be a possible sign of life. nasa is now planning two robotic missions later this decade, one of which will analyse the planet s atmosphere, whilst the other will map its surface. these two sister missions, both aimed to understand how venus became an inferno like world, capable of melting lead at the surface. they will offer the entire science community the chance to investigate a planet we haven t been to in more than 30 years. nasa says the missions will also help to further understanding of why earth is habitable whilst other planets
to venus to examine the planet s atmosphere and geological features. the missions are scheduled to launch at the end of the decade. nasa hasn t been to venus since 1990. our north america correspondent david willis has a look now at why it s going back. hardly the most hospitable planet in the solar system if nasa s video release is to be relieved, but the us space agency is heading back to our nearest planetary neighbour after a decade spent exploring other worlds to check for signs of life. i m excited to break some big news today. we have two new discovery missions to announce. christened the da vinci and the veritas missions, one will analyse the planet s atmosphere in an attempt to understand how it evolved and with temperatures of a70 celsius why it s so hot. the other will map its rocky surface, complete with thousands of volcanoes, to discover why it developed differently
than a70 celsius in places. interest in venus was rekindled after astronomers said they had detected a molecule in the clouds which could be a possible sign of life. nasa is now planning two robotic missions later this decade, one of which will analyse the planet s atmosphere, whilst the other will map its surface. these two sister missions, both aimed to understand how venus became an infertile like world, capable of melting lead at the surface. they will offer the entire science community the chance to investigate a planet we haven t been to in more than 30 years. nasa says the missions will also help to further understanding of why earth is habitable whilst other planet in the solar system are not. david willis, bbc news, los angeles.
at the end of the decade. our correspondent david willis reports. venus is the closest planet to earth, and similar in size, mass, density and composition. in recent years, it s received less attention than mars and other destinations in the solar system, primarily because it s so hot. its dense atmosphere traps heat from the sun, leading to temperatures of more than a70 celsius in places. interest in venus was rekindled after astronomers said they had detected a molecule in the clouds which could be a possible sign of life. nasa is now planning two robotic missions later this decade, one of which will analyse the planet s atmosphere, whilst the other will map its surface. these two sister missions, both aimed to understand how venus became an inferno like world, capable of melting lead at the surface.