NASA Langley Research Center
1 HN recommender · recommended in 4 months, 2019–2021
3:35 · 1.1M views · Oct 10, 2014
A NASA Langley concept video for HAVOC, a lighter-than-air vehicle that would carry two astronauts on a 30-day mission in Venus's upper atmosphere. It explains why the planet's surface is so hostile and why the clouds are more habitable.
HN shares it as the go-to visual for the idea of crewed blimps floating above Venus.
4 comments from Hacker News
There's this real cool concept about a manned blimp that was produced by NASA a few years ago. It has a really cool video to go with it too. this video
A floating habitat on Venus is actually more attractive. Venus (upper atmosphere): -human livable temperatures with modest temperature control -Earth-like pressure (Himalayans) leads to slow leaks that can be patched, and pressure can be increased inside to stop the leaks inward -protected by thick atmosphere from radiation, meteors, asteroids -strong magnetic field against radiation -atmosphere still thin enough for solar panel energy use -the sulfuric acid atmosphere requires a Teflon coating and/or mixing Teflon particles with the metals during fabrication -the escape velocity from the upper atmosphere is low and requires a small rocket and not much fuel, leaving more fuel for return trips -distance between Earth and Venus is 3 months, versus 6 months to a 1 year depending on the window of opportunity.. that means you can rescue crews faster, get them supplies quicker, and replace crew sooner on Venus -oxygen on Venus has a strong lifting power, you can float entire heavy concrete and steel cities on massive platforms, think cloud city from Star Wars(tm) -aerodynamics work similarly to Earth; airships (dirigibles), airplanes, drones are all possible here Concept mission to Venus compliments of NASA: this video Mars: -inhospitable temperatures not suitable for human or plant life -explosive decompression due to a micro-meteorite causing a hole -no atmosphere to protect against radiation or projectiles -weak magnetic field providing no protection -violent unpredictable wind sto
There is a concept by NASA for such a mission, it is called "High Altitude Venus Operational Concept" or "HAVOC" [0]. They also made a demo video for it [1]. [0] [LINK] [1] this video
I know this isn't what you mean by "studied," but here's a NASA produced video mockup of manned blimps over Venus: this video