Venus

Welcome to Venus, a planet that is often referred to as Earth's twin, but in reality, it is nothing like home. During your mission, you will experience the scorching hot landscape of Venus firsthand. Your task is to spend just five seconds on this inhospitable planet, which will undoubtedly feel like a never-ending eternity.

Venus, our nearest neighbor, is approximately 40 million kilometers away at its closest approach. After four months in space, you finally arrive and get the chance to witness this beautiful yet perilous planet up close. Both Earth and Venus formed about 4.5 billion years ago in the same region of our solar system. Venus is similar in size to Earth, and its gravity is comparable. However, that is where the similarities end.

The surface conditions on Venus are extreme, as we have discovered through various probe missions. Some probes orbited Venus, others made flybys, and a few even attempted to land on its surface. However, these missions were short-lived. Now, it's time for you to find out what happened to them as you make your descent.

As you approach Venus, the first thing you notice are the beautiful but dangerous clouds. These yellowish bands streaking across the sky are composed of sulfuric acid. While they may look intriguing, inhaling them would be disastrous. The air at a height of 50 kilometers above the surface is thick, impairing visibility and blocking views of the planet's tens of thousands of volcanoes. Venus' atmosphere consists mainly of carbon dioxide, which contributes to its intense greenhouse effect and scorching temperatures.

During your descent, the haze starts to dissipate, revealing a rust-colored surface adorned with mountains and volcanoes. As you explore, you notice evidence of ongoing volcanic activity. Carefully collecting samples, you marvel at the view, but the reality of the extreme conditions begins to set in.

The atmosphere on Venus is incredibly dense, primarily composed of carbon dioxide with traces of nitrogen. Landing your spacecraft kicks up clouds of dust, which take several minutes to settle in the thick atmosphere. Once the dust clears, you gaze up at the sky, only to find a perpetually dawn-like illumination. The dense atmosphere allows only about 10% of the sunlight to reach the surface, creating a constant state of subdued light.

Reflecting on past missions, you recall Venera 13, a Soviet probe that managed to survive the descent and last for an impressive 127 minutes on the surface in 1981. However, its endurance was eventually overcome by the hostile environment. The extreme pressure likely crushed it or caused it to melt.

Now, it's your turn to brave the conditions. Stepping out onto the Venusian surface, you immediately feel the weight of the immensely dense air. Despite Venus having a gravity similar to Earth's, moving feels as if you're wading through water, except it's scorching hot water. The thermometer in your suit reads a staggering 475 degrees Celsius, hot enough to melt lead. Thankfully, your pressurized suit provides protection against the intense heat and crushing atmospheric pressure, allowing you to continue your mission.

As you explore, something unexpected happens. Your protective suit fails, exposing you to the drastic pressure shift. Instantly, you feel as if you're submerged deep underwater, struggling against the crushing pressure from all directions. Breathing becomes nearly impossible in an oxygen-deprived atmosphere, and any air you manage to inhale scalds your mouth and throat. Without a swift return to the safety of your spacecraft, you would succumb to the lethal environment within seconds.

In hindsight, it becomes evident that sending you to explore the surface of Venus was an ill-fated decision. The extreme conditions and the unforgiving atmosphere have proven too perilous, even for the most advanced protective gear. Venus remains a harsh and inhospitable world, unsuitable for human exploration without significant terraforming efforts.

As we reflect on this mission, it becomes clear that investing in long-term health infrastructure and understanding the complexities of other planets is crucial. The challenges faced on Venus remind us of the importance of thorough research, preparation, and ensuring the safety of explorers. Perhaps one day, through advancements in technology and our understanding of celestial bodies, Venus can be transformed into a more habitable planet. But for now, it remains a captivating yet inhospitable world.