Only a handful of images exist from Venus's surface, all captured by Soviet Venera landers between 1975 and 1982. These probes, designed to withstand the extreme heat and pressure, managed to transmit data and photographs for a short time before succumbing to the hostile environment. The resulting images, while limited in number and quality due to the thick atmosphere and challenging conditions, reveal a rocky, desolate landscape with flat plains and scattered rocks, often tinged orange by the filtered sunlight. These precious glimpses offer a unique perspective on a planet so different from our own.
To extend the Voyager probes' lifespans, NASA has turned off the Cosmic Ray Subsystem (CRS) instrument on Voyager 2. While the CRS has been crucial in studying the heliosphere and interstellar space, this power-saving measure is necessary to keep both Voyager 1 and 2 operating. Further power reductions are planned in the coming years as the probes' radioactive power sources continue to decay, with the goal of maintaining communication with Earth for as long as possible. Voyager 1's CRS was deactivated in 2022.
HN commenters express a mix of awe and sadness at the continued power-down of the Voyager probes. Several reflect on the incredible longevity and distance of the mission, marveling at the ingenuity of the engineers who designed them. Some commenters discuss the technical aspects of the power reduction, including the use of radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and the diminishing power output over time. Others lament the eventual loss of contact, viewing it as a symbolic end of an era. A few suggest potential solutions, albeit highly speculative ones, like laser-based power beaming to extend the probes' lifespans. The overall sentiment is one of respect for the Voyager mission and its contributions to scientific understanding.
Summary of Comments ( 11 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43638520
Hacker News users discussed the incredible difficulty of imaging Venus's surface due to its extreme heat and pressure, which quickly destroy landers. They expressed fascination with the Soviet Venera missions that managed to capture these images despite the harsh conditions. Some commenters highlighted the ingenuity of the Soviet engineers, while others marveled at the desolate, alien landscape revealed in the photographs. A few comments touched on the challenges of future Venus exploration and the potential for more robust landers, and the desire to see higher resolution images from the surface. Several users also reminisced about seeing these images in their youth and how it sparked their interest in space exploration.
The Hacker News post linking to the Planetary Society's article "Every picture from Venus' surface, ever" generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a number of commenters reflecting on the harsh conditions on Venus, the challenges of exploring it, and the historical context of the Soviet Venera missions.
Several commenters marveled at the sheer hostility of Venus's environment, with its extreme temperatures and pressures. Some highlighted the surprisingly short lifespans of the Venera landers, emphasizing the technological feat they represented given the incredibly difficult conditions. One user pointed out the incredible density of the Venusian atmosphere, comparing it to being a kilometer deep in Earth's ocean. This sparked further discussion about the difficulties of engineering probes that can withstand such an environment.
There was a discussion thread regarding the colors used in the images. Some users questioned the accuracy and processing of the images, noting the different color palettes used in various presentations of the same photos and speculating on the reasons for these differences. This led to explanations about the challenges of representing data from other planets, where the lighting and atmospheric conditions are vastly different from Earth’s. Some users pointed out that the original Venera cameras had limited color capabilities and that many of the color images are later reconstructions based on the limited data available. Others discussed the technical challenges involved in capturing and transmitting images from such an inhospitable environment.
Another thread focused on the historical context of the Venera missions, with some commenters expressing admiration for the Soviet space program's achievements during the Cold War. They discussed the technical ingenuity and resilience required to successfully land probes on Venus, given the limited technology available at the time. Some users shared anecdotes and links to further information about the Venera program, highlighting the historical significance of these missions.
A few commenters expressed their hope for future missions to Venus, speculating on new technologies that could be used to explore the planet more effectively. Some suggested the use of more robust landers or even aerial platforms to study the Venusian atmosphere and surface in greater detail.
While no single comment overwhelmingly dominated the conversation, the most compelling comments centered around the awe-inspiring difficulty of exploring Venus, the technological marvels achieved by the Venera missions, and the intriguing questions about the planet's past and potential for future exploration. The discussion offered a blend of scientific curiosity, historical reflection, and technological appreciation for the challenges and triumphs of exploring Earth's "evil twin."