The Lavoisier mission : A system of descent probe and balloon flotilla for geochemical investigation of the deep atmosphere and surface of Venus

Abstract

Lavoisier mission is a joint effort of eight European countries and a technological challenge aimed at investigating the lower atmosphere and the surface of Venus. The mission consists of a descent probe and three balloons to be deployed below the cloud deck. Its main scientific objectives may be summarized as following : (i) composition of the deep atmosphere : noble gas (elemental/isotopic), molecular species (elemental/ isotopic), oxygen fugacity; vertical/horizontal/temporal variability; (ii) infrared spectroscopy and radiometry (molecular composition, radiative transfer); (iii) dynamics of the atmosphere : p, T, acceleration measurements, balloon localization through VLBI, meteorological events signed by acoustic waves, atmospheric mixing as imprinted on radioactive tracers; (iv) surface morphology and mineralogy through near infrared imaging on dayside, surface temperature through NIR imaging on nightside. Additional tentative objectives are search for (a) atmospheric electrical activity (optically, radioelectrically, acoustically), (b) crustal outgassing and/or volcanic activity : acoustic activity, horizontal/vertical distribution of radioactive tracers, (c) seismic activity : acoustic waves transmitted from crust to atmosphere, and (d) remanent and/or intrinsic magnetic field. Lavoisier was proposed to ESA in response to the F2/F3 mission Announcement of Opportunity at the beginning of 2000, but it was not selected for the assessment study. A wide international partnership was created for this occasion, including Finland (FMI), France (IPSL, MAGIE, Université Orsay, IPSN, INPG, CEA, IPGP, Obs. Paris-Meudon), Germany (MPAe, Univ. Muenster), Hungary (KFKI, Univ. Eotvos), Portugal (OAL), Russia (IKI), Spain (IAA), United Kingdom (Univ. Oxford).