Step into Venus, a scorching inferno that awaits you. While some liken it to Earth’s twin, this fiery realm bears no resemblance to your familiar abode. Prepare yourself to witness the relentless heat of this unforgiving landscape. Welcome to Venus, a place that might make you believe you’ve arrived in hell itself.
Your task is to endure a mere five seconds on this infernal planet. These fleeting moments will feel agonizingly eternal.
Venus, our closest neighbor, holds the distinction of being the second planet from the Sun. When it reaches its nearest point to us, it is a mere 40 million km (25 million mi) away. After only four months in space, you would have the opportunity to behold this celestial body’s stunning yet dangerous allure.
Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, Venus and Earth emerged within the same region of our Solar System. This celestial body, akin in size and gravitational force to our planet, underwent a divergent fate. Contrasting our familiar abode, Venus presents an environment of extreme conditions upon its surface.
Through our extensive exploration efforts, we have gained knowledge about this scorching world by deploying various probes. Some probes successfully entered orbit around Venus, while others conducted close flybys. A few daring ones even touched down on the planet’s surface. However, their mission durations were relatively short-lived. It’s time to uncover the fate that befell these intrepid explorers.
It’s time for you to descend to the surface below. Please take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of these clouds, but be cautious not to inhale them. These vibrant yellow bands stretching across the sky are composed of sulfuric acid, emitting a pungent odor resembling rotten eggs. However, I strongly advise against removing your helmet to catch a whiff of them.
Approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) above the surface, visibility plummets to an alarming extent. The little clarity makes it nearly impossible to perceive anything around you. The planet’s numerous volcanoes, numbering in the tens of thousands, remain concealed by the dense atmosphere primarily composed of carbon dioxide. The thickness of this atmospheric layer acts as an effective barrier, preventing views of the planet below. Furthermore, this dense composition contributes to a greenhouse effect, trapping heat on the surface and creating a pleasantly warm environment. Curious about the precise level of warmth? Prepare yourself for an enlightening experience, albeit one that might prove challenging.
As you descend by an additional 15 km (10 mi), the hazy veil gradually dissipates, unveiling the actual sight of the world beneath. A terrain dominated by rust-colored hues adorned with majestic mountains and active volcanoes comes into view. This particular volcano remains in an active state. Curiosity prompts you to maneuver your flight path, gathering samples while immersing yourself in the breathtaking panorama. Indeed, the atmosphere predominantly comprises carbon dioxide with faint traces of nitrogen, aligning with expectations.
Alright, then. Let’s assess if this is a suitable landing spot. It appears to be the designated area. Mission control, can you confirm if I have permission to land? Mission control? Oh, it seems there’s no signal. It is proceeding with the landing sequence despite the lack of clearance and hoping for a successful outcome.
When your spacecraft touches down, it stirs up billowing dust clouds that take several minutes to settle in the hazy atmosphere. As the dust gradually dissipates, you would raise your gaze toward the heavens, only to discover the absence of the familiar golden orb of the Sun. On Venus, regardless of the time of day, the sky perpetually resembles the break of dawn.
That’s due to the Venusian atmosphere, which allows only approximately 10% of the sunlight to penetrate the surface. However, let’s recall our previous discussion about the space probe that successfully landed on Venus – Venera 13. Back in 1981, this Soviet probe made an impressive descent and managed to survive for an astonishing 127 minutes, surpassing the duration of any other spacecraft that had reached the Venusian surface. Unfortunately, this infernal planet’s relentless and inhospitable environment eventually overpowered Venera 13. It likely succumbed to either immense pressure, causing it to be crushed, or extreme heat, resulting in its melting.
However, there’s no turning back at this point. You have already endured the arduous one-hour-long descent, and victory is within your grasp! The only remaining task to fulfill your mission is to venture outside for five seconds. Yes, outdoors—where you will encounter the most unforgiving environment you’ve ever experienced.
Congratulations on reaching your destination! Your arms feel incredibly heavy, and lifting them is a challenge. Despite Venus having a gravity similar to Earth’s, the sheer density of its atmosphere makes you sense an overwhelming weight. It’s as if you’re moving through the water, not just water, instead scorching hot water. Fortunately, you’re grateful for the ample protective gear you’re wearing.
Glancing at your thermometer, a swift realization dawns upon you: the scorching heat registers at a blistering 475 °C (900 °F). Such extreme temperatures could effortlessly liquefy lead. Your meticulously designed pressurized suit tirelessly toils to safeguard your well-being. Without its protective embrace, the relentless pressure would instantly overwhelm you, leaving you helpless before accomplishing your mission.
You know what? This situation isn’t as terrible as it seems. Think about it: if a spacecraft managed to endure over two hours about four decades ago, you and your state-of-the-art equipment could surely last even longer. Venus is waiting for you to explore its mysteries, so take a few more steps and embrace the wonders that lie ahead.
Out of the blue, a sudden interruption diverts your attention from conducting the historic and unprecedented analysis of Venus’ surface conditions. Abruptly, your protective suit malfunctions, leaving you vulnerable. The dramatic alteration in pressure would instantly immerse you in an experience akin to submerging in the ocean’s depths. With an atmospheric pressure on Venus approximately 90 times that of Earth, you would feel the crushing force pressing upon you from all directions. Simultaneously, the absence of oxygen in the atmosphere would pose a severe challenge to your breathing. Any meager amount of air you managed to inhale would scorch the inside of your mouth and the upper part of your throat.
If you failed to retreat to the safety of your spacecraft swiftly, death would swiftly claim you. However, this dire scenario has a silver lining. Above you, clouds of sulphuric acid would be showering acid upon the atmosphere. Thankfully, in this scorching atmosphere, the toxic rain would never reach the surface as it would evaporate well before that point. Hence, you need not concern yourself with the dreadful prospect of acid dissolving your flesh and bones. It’s safe to say that such a fate would be genuinely macabre.
Looking back, it’s clear that sending you to investigate this inhospitable surface was perhaps not the wisest decision. It would have been more prudent to prioritize the terraforming of Venus into a more welcoming and habitable planet before embarking on such a mission.