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Why Venus?

It turns our Venus is quite rich in many available natural resources required to sustain a long term presence in space including being able to offer bountiful reserves of heat, electricity, pressure and industrial chemical precursors dissolved in an easily refined supercritical atmosphere.

It makes for an intriguing place to consider. Just what resources can Venus offer to us?

Looking at the Numbers

The case for visiting Venus is strong, but you don't have to take our word for it. Compare the starting paramaters and make your own conclusion. If you agree that its worth investigating, we welcome your input in the Starship Venus discissions.
(Details courtesy of NASA)

Property	Venus at 55km Altitude	Earth	Mars	Outcomes
Gravity (m/s^2)	8.7	9.8	3.7	Long term exposure to low gravity environments damages human health and some industrial processes need gravity.
Mean Temperature (deg C)	27	15	-65	Mean temperatures closer to that of Earth's reduce themal engineering complexity and energy needs.
Air Pressure (bar)	0.5	1	0.006	Walking on Mars requires bulky full-pressure suits and pressurised habitats. Venus needs only protective gear and breathing support and sealed but not pressurised habitats.
Atmospheric Mass (kg)	4.8 x 10^20	5.1 x 10^18	2.5 x 10^16	The Venusian atmosphere is two magnitudes greater Earth and its at a higher density. As an example even though the atmosphere is only 3% Nitrogen it still contains three times more Nitrogen than Earth's atmosphere.
Solar Irradiance (W/m2)	2601	1361	586	Solar panel of the same area on Venus generate almost 100% more power than Earth and 450% more power than on Mars. Interestingly, the clouds are also so reflective you get power reflected off the planet as pointing at the sun.
Freely Available Biogenic Compounds	H N O C S	H N O C P S	H N O C S	Venus can provide these in gaseous form, Mars deposits are gasseous and sulphur is on the surface.
Radiation Protection	Weak Induced Magnetic Field and Atmospheric	Strong Magnetic Field and Atmospheric	None	Heavy radiation shielding is required on Mars, whereas simpler shielding must ve considered on Venus, Venus may also be able to provide Lead (Pb) for shielding. Venus' proximity to the Sun's immense magnetic field also partially shields it from cosmic rays.
Habitat Atmosphere	Sealed	Open biome	Sealed and pressurised	Generating a habitat atmosphere needs less engineering on Venus than on Mars because the Venusian habitat doesn't require pressurising. Both need chemical reforming of the habitat gasses, but Mars also needs atmospheric concentration and generation.
Atmosphere Quality	Corrosive	Ideal	Thin	Both Venus and Mars atmoshphere have problems to overcome. Here you choose your poison.
Aerobraking, Aerogravity assist and Aerocapture	Easier	Easier	Harder	A thicker atmosphere allows spacecraft to use the aerodynamic forces to modify orbits and enter orbit with far less complexity and therefore risk and cost.
Atmospheric Density (kg/m^3)	> 1.5	1.217	0.020	An O2/ N2 Air mix on Venus is a floating gas, even though the pressure at 55km is only 0.5 Bar, the composition makes it slightly more dense than the

Discussion topics we need to address in detail include:

VENUSIAN PHYSICS & MECHANICS
How to get there, what's the environment like and what physical properties can we take advantage of. The interplanetary tradeoff is a complicated discussion. Discuss >
RESOURCES & ECONOMIC RATIONALE
Humans move to places that efficiently provide them the most resources to thrive. Choices for interplanetary settlements should be no different. Discuss >
SOCIAL, CULTURAL and LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
Humans are driven by social and cultural imperatives above all else, as well as the current politically acceptable reasons for space travel. Let us know your reason. Discuss >
KEY ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS
In-situ resource utilization (ISRU), advanced robotics, habitat design, thermal regulation, electricity generation, drones, variable density atmospheric submersibles, FlyBy mining, corrosion resistance, maintenance, high temperature electronics and closed loop systems will be vital for successful long term presence on Venus. Minimising complexity will be key. The enginerring challenges along with the economic rationale will answer the question, should the presence on Venus be robotic, human or both? Discuss >
HEALTH AND MEDICAL ISSUES
Humans want not just to survive but to thrive in the long term environment. Success will be dictated by physical, mental and spiritual health. Discuss >

The Evolving Proposal

As our discussion develops, we'll put together interim reports with concrete reasoning for choosing Venus as a place to mine, and send resources to other celestial bodies. The report will provide ever evolving recommendations for exploring Venus. In its final form the report will present a comprehensive mission proposal as a blueprint to visit Earth's closest and richest neighbour.

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