Exploring the Surface and Cloud Deck of Venus using a Long-duration Solar-powered Aircraft

摘要

We present a mission concept for a long-duration solar-powered aircraft to explore the surface and cloud-deck of Venus. In this mission concept, an aircraft flies against the planet's rotation and prevailing winds to remain roughly near the sub-solar point indefinitely while performing related measurements of the atmosphere in the 50-80 km altitude range. The aircraft spends significant time at 50 km altitude, where it can measure upwelling radiance from the surface. Since power constraints prohibit indefinite sub-solar operations at 50 km altitude, we identify a "porpoising" mission profile that allows repeated exploration of the 50-80 km altitude region while remaining power positive for a broad range of latitudes and solar times. We present an aircraft design capable of flying this profile while carrying a rich instrument payload to perform systematic measurements of the atmosphere and surface of Venus.