A team of researchers from Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) has developed an innovative penetrating impact probe (penetrometer) for Venus, which has successfully completed flight tests. The focus now shifts to modeling descent and effective subsurface integration. Patented descent simulation programs address the challenges of low speeds as the probe approaches the surface and account for various perturbative factors to enhance structural integrity and stability. Due to Venus’s dense atmosphere, the probe must accelerate rather than decelerate during descent to achieve the required penetration depth. This hard landing approach minimizes atmospheric travel time and facilitates deep subsurface exploration. The probe is designed to collect and transmit primary scientific data regarding the physicochemical composition of planetary soil, analyzing samples onboard before relaying findings to an orbital spacecraft. The project, initially developed at NPO named after S.A. Lavochkin, has been rejuvenated under the leadership of Victor Vorontsov at MAI. This work not only advances our understanding of Venus but also contributes to broader planetary science, shedding light on the processes involved in the formation and evolution of the Solar System and Earth.
