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Summary: 171
Experiencing Venus: Clues to the Origin,
Evolution, and Chemistry of Terrestrial Planets
via In-Situ Exploration of our Sister World
Kevin H. Baines1, Sushil K. Atreya2, Robert W. Carlson1, David Crisp1,
David Grinspoon3, Christopher T. Russell4, Gerald Schubert5, and Kevin Zahnle6
We review the current state of knowledge of (1) the origin and evolution of Venus
and (2) the photochemical and thermochemical processes occurring in the middle
and lower atmosphere there. For each, we review the promise of on-going and
planned orbital observations by ESA's Venus Express and Japan's Venus Climate
Orbiter missions. We review the need for future in-situ measurements for under-
standing Venus origin and evolution and present-day chemistry, and the implica-
tions for understanding the origin and history of the Earth and other bodies in the
inner solar system, as well as for understanding terrestrial planets in other solar
systems. We prioritize the goals remaining in the post Venus Express era, based on
the Decadal Survey (National Research Council, 2003). Using past experience with
Pioneer Venus, VEGAs, Veneras, and, most recently, Venus Express as guides, we
suggest appropriate techniques and measurements to address these fundamental
science issues.
1. INTRODUCTION
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