UK-Backed Mission to Investigate Life-Indicative Gases on Venus

A proposed UK-led mission aims to investigate potential signs of life in the clouds of Venus by examining unexplained hydrogen-rich gases, specifically phosphine and ammonia. This initiative, known as the Venus Explorer for Reduced Vapors in the Environment (VERVE), is set to hitch a ride with the European Space Agency's EnVision mission, scheduled for launch in 2031. The mission's primary goal is to determine whether these gases, which are typically produced by biological processes on Earth, could indicate microbial life in Venus’s atmosphere.

The presence of phosphine was first reported in the Venusian clouds in 2020, a claim that sparked significant debate within the scientific community due to the lack of replication in subsequent findings. According to Professor Jane Greaves from Cardiff University, a key member of the VERVE team, “Our latest data has found more evidence of ammonia on Venus, with the potential for it to exist in the habitable parts of the planet’s clouds.” Greaves asserts that the gases' presence cannot currently be explained by known geological or atmospheric phenomena, underscoring the need for direct investigation.

The planned mission will involve constructing a CubeSat-sized probe with a budget of approximately 50 million euros ($59 million). Upon reaching Venus, the probe will detach to conduct an independent atmospheric survey, while the EnVision mission explores the planet’s surface and interior. In a statement, Dr. Dave Clements of Imperial College London, who leads the JCMT-Venus project, noted, “This may explain some of the apparently contradictory studies and is not a surprise given that many other chemical species, like sulfur dioxide and water, have varying abundances.”

Researchers have observed that the detection of phosphine appears to align with Venus's day-night cycle, suggesting that the gas is destroyed by sunlight. This variability could be crucial in understanding the production mechanisms of phosphine and ammonia on Venus.

Furthermore, the possibility that extremophile microbes could survive in the planet's clouds, where temperatures range from 30°C to 70°C at altitudes of about 50 kilometers, has sparked interest. These microbes might have thrived in a more temperate environment during Venus's distant past. As stated by Professor Greaves, the only way to ascertain the gases' origins is through direct exploration: “The hope is that we can establish whether the gases are abundant or in trace amounts and whether their source is on the planetary surface or something in the atmosphere.”

The VERVE mission represents a significant step toward answering one of humanity's most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe? As researchers continue to analyze the atmospheric data, further publications and findings are expected later this year. This initiative not only aims to deepen our understanding of Venus but also to explore the broader implications for astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth.