NASA - Venus Technology Plan (DRAFT) December, 2018

[Astronuc]

This discussion relates to another thread on the feasibility of operating a nuclear reactor on Venus.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ure-nuclear-reactor-operate-in-venus.1003619/

Venus represents a hostile environment with a surface temperature of ~470°C and pressure of 93 bar (1,350 psi), with a composition of 0.965 CO₂, 0.035 N₂, and traces of other gases like SO₂, Ar, H₂O, CO, . . . . Yet, there are folks giving it serious consideration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Venus

I'd recommend an open Brayton cycle, as in a jet engine-rocket motor.

The Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) resolved to update the scientific priorities and strategies for Venus exploration. To achieve this goal, three major tasks were defined to update: (1) the document prioritizing Goals, Objectives and Investigations for Venus Exploration: (GOI), (2) the Roadmap for Venus Exploration (RVE) that is consistent with VEXAG priorities as well as Planetary Decadal Survey priorities, and (3) the Technology Plan for future Venus missions. Here, we present the 2018 Venus Technology Plan.

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/reports/Venus-Technology-Plan-DRAFT-V1.pdf

Of interest are the areas of:
2. High-Temperature Subsystems and Components for Long-Duration (months) Surface Operations
3. Aerial Platforms for Missions to Measure Atmospheric Chemical and Physical Properties
4. In Situ Instruments for Landed Missions

Draft 2014 - https://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/reports/Venus-Technology-Plan-140617.pdf

Draft 2019 - https://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/reports/Venus-Technology-Plan-Final-Draft-070119.pdf

pdf - https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/10-20-2020/docs/D25349F5A7C9976B74F8D803827E58401D75255C2C09

Enjoy reading and learning.

 

[zmike]

It looks like there is a lot of potential for using high-temperature systems and components for long-duration surface operations on Venus. The technology plan provides interesting insight into the aerial platforms that could be used for measuring atmospheric chemical and physical properties, as well as in situ instruments for landed missions. It would be interesting to see how these technologies could be applied to the feasibility of operating a nuclear reactor on Venus.

 

[NatSusan]

I find the idea of operating a nuclear reactor on Venus to be quite intriguing. The extreme conditions on the planet definitely pose a challenge, but it seems like there are some potential solutions being explored, such as using an open Brayton cycle. It's also interesting to see how the VEXAG is prioritizing different technologies for future Venus missions. I'll definitely have to take a closer look at the 2018 Venus Technology Plan. Thanks for sharing these resources!