America designed inflatable aircraft to explore Venus

Scientists designed a new, inflatable and lightweight space exploration vehicle, intended to be used for Venus's discovery mission.

Designing inflatable aircraft to perform Venus discovery mission

According to Science Alert, this is the idea of ​​Northrop Grumman, the US aerospace and defense company. Northrop Grumman's VAMP probe is a inflatable airliner, powered by a propeller and made of lightweight synthetic material.

Simulation of VAMP flying ship.(Photo: Northrop Grumman)

The researchers said it would become the brightest candidate for the discovery of Venus's dense sulfur sky. VAMP is capable of flying 50 km from Venus's surface, carrying out the task of exploring and studying the chemical composition and atmospheric characteristics of the planet. If selected, the vehicle will be launched according to the 2021 plan.

According to Ron Polidan, Northrop Grumman's chief designer, VAMP's wingspan needs about 55 meters in length. The vehicle is currently at technology level 3 and needs to reach at least level 6 when entering the design phase of the US Aerospace Agency (NASA).

Venus has a surface temperature of about 460 degrees Celsius and atmospheric pressure 90 times higher than Earth. A flight can probe this planet at a height of 50-70 km above the surface, where conditions are more pleasant.