Venus Express is the first spacecraft to visit Venus in over 10 years.

The spacecraft is carrying many of the same instruments as Rosetta and Mars Express. Venus Express arrived at Venus on 11th April 2006 and is following an eccentric orbit, so that it can take global measurements from a distance as well as detailed close-ups. Instruments carried by the spacecraft will study the Venusian atmosphere and find out what drives the planet's high-speed winds.

UK Involvement

UK scientists have participated in planning the mission and there is British involvement in four of the instruments. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is responsible for co-ordinating science operations. For more details, click on the UK involvement map.

Venus Express Links

Venus Express mission homepage

Oxford University Venus Express site

Nine Planets introduction to Venus

Mullard Space Science Laboratory's Venus Express site