Venus' Atmosphere Proves a Real Drag, Leading to a Discovery

By Mike Wall
published

Spacecraft Eyes Venus for Active Volcanoes
Starting its scientific surveying in July 2006, the European Space Agency's(ESA) Venus Express has been carrying out the most detailed study of the planet's thick and complex atmosphere to date. (Image credit: ESA)

A spacecraft using a

The European Space

"It's really a

The observations

Thinner than they

Venus Express'

The spacecraft's

The Venus Express

This is getting

"The timetable

Changing course

Venus Express

When Venus Express

Mission planners

To do this,

"It would be

However, Venus

During these jaunts,

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Mike Wall
Mike Wall
Senior Space Writer

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com (opens in new tab) and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.