NASA creates a miniature version of Venus in California

It's been nearly 30 years since a country sent a lander on a mission to Venus. Scientists at NASA are hoping to change this, with the aid of a new state-of-the-art testing chamber capable of recreating the toxic probe-destroying atmosphere of Earth's closest neighboring planet.

The chamber allows NASA scientists to simulate the frigid conditions of space travel, entry into Venus's atmosphere, and harsh conditions on the planet surface. By simulating conditions on Venus, researchers hope to ultimately be able to design a rover capable of lasting exponentially longer than previous surface missions. The last lander sent to Venus, the Soviet Union's Venera 13, lasted only 127 minutes on the planet's surface before succumbing to temperatures of 855 degrees Fahrenheit and pressure 89 times greater than that on Earth.

The rig not only simulates the extreme temperature and pressure of Venus, but also its corrosive atmosphere as well. The planet's air consists mostly of carbon dioxide and clouds of sulfuric acid. It also contains concentrations of hydrogen fluoride gas capable of destroying both metal and glass. If scientists can design a craft capable of handling conditions inside the chamber, they believe they can justify the time and money needed to launch a return trip to Venus's surface.

Eventually, this chamber (or one similar to it) will allow NASA to design craft capable of withstanding other extreme atmospheres. Specifically, NASA wishes to simulate conditions on the Martian equator, on Saturn's moons, and in Jupiter's atmosphere.

(Source)

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