Venus Exploration in the New Human Spaceflight Age. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Izenberg, Noam R.; McNutt, Ralph L.; Runyon, Kirby D.; Byrne, Paul K.; MacDonald, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 180(2021)
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Venus -- Mars -- Human spaceflight -- Flyby -- Planetary science -- Missions; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.12.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: An often-overlooked aspect of human missions to Mars is that the optimal path to the Red Planet could include a flyby of Venus. As part of so-called opposition missions, a crewed spacecraft would, after departing Earth, approach Venus en route to Mars. Such Venus flybys would offer unique opportunities to practice deep-space human operations during phases of flight for which a direct return to Earth would be a viable abort option. Indeed, crewed flyby missions to Venus provide a basis for longer-duration human spaceflight activities before committing to longer-duration and lower-launch-cadence missions solely to Mars. During Venus flybys, astronauts bound for Mars could carry out opportunistic "human-in-the-loop" scientific activities, such as controlling an aerial platform or directing in situ sampling by a landed spacecraft for much lower cost than a dedicated crewed mission to Venus. An independent crewed Venus flyby could also serve as a useful systems demonstration mission prior to a first human mission to Mars. With a renewed focus on landing humans on Mars in the 2030s and the formidable challenges still ahead for safe and successful long-duration human spaceflight, the time to consider incorporating Venus on the path to Mars is now. Highlights: Human missions to/by Venus are important considerations for exploration strategy. Human Mars missions that include Venus flybys offer advantages and opportunities. Venus flybys reduce Mars mission delta-V, and provide deep space operations practice. Crewed flybys enable "human in the loop" scientific study of Venus. The time to begin coordinating such Earth-to-Mars-via-Venus missions is now.