Balloons For Earthquake Detection Sent To Venus By NASA

Anita - Jan 01, 2019

Helium-filled balloons with earthquake sensors have been tested by NASA scientists with the hope that one day they would be used on Venus' surface to gather seismic activity data there.

According to reports of Science Magazine released on the 19th of December, scientists in coordination with the Department of Energy of America successfully exploded 50 tons of chemical explosives into several hundred meters under the Mojave desert's surface.

The artificial earthquake resulting from the experiment helped scientists from NASA test the unique sensors for earthquake detection which are hung below balloons containing helium. These balloons were floating above of the desert.

Venusballoon — Balloons with earthquake-detecting sensors

A similar system is expected to be able to take Venus’s surface's detailed seismic measurements someday. The final goal is to find out more information on the internal structure of Venus.

The concept of utilizing balloons to gather Venus’s data has surfaced since around 2014. An idea that is now deactivated, namely HAVOC (High Altitude Venus Operational Concept) raises hope for the human to one day reach the atmosphere of Venus in 30 days by vehicles that are much lighter than the air.

NASA researchers chose to use balloons because it is impossible to have a rocket land on this planet to gather seismic index. The atmosphere of Venus is too thick, full of CO2, and is extremely hot that it could liquefy lead. The temperatures here can reach 864 degrees Fahrenheit, which is equivalent to 462 degrees Celsius on average. That’s why it would be better for scientific experiments to be carried out in the outside atmosphere due to much cooler temperatures there.

Expanding Venus 5 — The extremely hot surface of Venus

Which is the way for balloons with a height of approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) above Venus’s surface to gather seismic activity data? The answer is the extremely thick atmosphere of Venus, which is equal to the pressure of the depth of 3,000 feet under the Earth’s ocean. This atmosphere makes it possible and easy for the travel of seismic waves to the balloons, from the surface of Venus.

However, the Venus still has many things that are still mysterious to scientists. The explosion’s results might not be comparable to the severe environment of the atmosphere of Venus. It is still somehow a smart way for researchers to have more knowledge about Venus someday.