NASA funding cuts force Europe to rethink key part of Venus mission

NASA’s withdrawal of the VenSAR radar has forced Europe to rethink a key part of its EnVision mission to Venus. ESA still plans a 2031 launch, with the spacecraft set to study Venus’ surface, atmosphere and interior using a broad set of instruments.

Europe’s next mission to Venus is set for a major change after NASA withdrew a key radar instrument from ESA’s EnVision spacecraft. The mission, planned for launch in November 2031, was built around close cooperation between Europe and the United States. That plan is now being reworked.

EnVision is meant to study Venus from its deep interior to its thick atmosphere and help scientists understand why the planet became so different from Earth. NASA had been expected to provide VenSAR, a powerful radar that would map parts of the surface at resolutions as fine as 10 metres. ESA now faces the task of replacing that capability through Europe, with other international options potentially entering the picture.

Read more: Europe selects EnVision mission to study Venus right down to …

Why NASA’s VenSAR is no longer part of EnVision

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