16th Meeting of the Venus Exploration and Analysis Group (VEXAG)

November 6–8, 2019

Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University

Laurel, Maryland

Program and Abstracts

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

8:30 a.m.	Bldg. 200, Room 100	VEXAG Overview and International Venus Exploration
1:30 p.m.	Bldg. 200, Room 100	Guidance Document Revisions, Mission Studies, Planning for Decadal Survey

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

8:30 a.m.	Bldg. 200, Room 100	Venus Surface and Interior Science
10:45 a.m.	Bldg. 200, Room 100	Venus Astrobiology and Exoplanets
1:30 p.m.	Bldg. 200, Room 100	Venus Atmosphere Science
4:00 p.m.	Bldg. 200, Room 100	Poster Session: Venus Surface and Atmosphere Science
4:00 p.m.	Bldg. 200, Room 100	Poster Session: Venus Technology and Instrument Studies

Thursday, November 8, 2018

8:30 a.m.

Bldg. 200, Room 100

Venus Technology and Instrument Studies

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

VEXAG OVERVIEW AND INTERNATIONAL VENUS EXPLORATION

8:30 a.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

Chair: Robert Grimm and Martha Gilmore

Times	Authors (* Denotes Speaker)	Abstract Title and Summary
8:30 a.m.	Grimm R. E. *	Welcome, Review of VEXAG Activities and Meeting
9:00 a.m.	Ocampo A. *	NASA Status, Responses to Prior VEXAG Findings
9:45 a.m.	C. Mercer *	High Operating Temperature Technology (HOTTech) Program Overview
10:00 a.m.	Simons R. *	PICASSO/MatISSE Instrument Development Programs
10:15 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m.	Satoh T. *	Akatsuki at Venus: Extended Mission
10:45 a.m.	Gregg T. K. P. * Zasova L. Economou T. Eismont N. Gerasimov M. Gorinov D. Ignatiev N. Ivanov M. Khatuntsev I. Korablev O. Kremic T. Jessup K. Limaye S. Lomakin I. Martynov A. Ocampo A.	Venera-D: A Potential Mission to Explore Venus’ Surface, Atmosphere and Plasma Environment [#8045] This presentation will summarize the current accomplishments of the Venera-D Joint Science Definition Team as we work to define a mission to explore Venus in the post-2025 timeframe.
11:00 a.m.	Ghail R. C. * EnVision Team	EnVision: Phase 0 Developments [#8028] EnVision was selected for Phase 0/A study in the ESA M5 round of medium-class missions. We will report on its conclusions as far as possible and detail opportunities for community involvement and collaboration.
11:15 a.m.	Harikrishnan G. *	Indian Space Research Organisation’s Plans for Venus Exploration
11:30 a.m.	Lunch

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT REVISIONS, MISSION STUDIES, PLANNING FOR DECADAL SURVEY

1:30 p.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

Chair: Robert Grimm and Martha Gilmore

Times	Authors (* Denotes Speaker)	Abstract Title and Summary
1:30 p.m.	Grimm R. E. *	Intro to Current Studies
1:40 p.m.	Treiman A. H. *	VEXAG GOI Document
1:55 p.m.	Hunter G. W. *	VEXAG Technology Document
2:10 p.m.	Cutts J. A. *	VEXAG Roadmap Document
2:25 p.m.	Gilmore M. S. *	Venus Flagship Study
2:40 p.m.	Jessup K. L. * Gilmore M. S. Grinspoon D. Limaye S. Luhmann J.	Venus’ Unique Role in Solar System History: The Five Big Questions [#8050] Many questions remain regarding Venus’ atmospheric, interior and habitability evolution. It is imperative that the critical investigation goals in each of these areas is adequately communicated to the public, and in the upcoming Decadal Survey.
2:55 p.m.	Gilmore M. S. *	Decadal Survey Discussion
3:15 p.m.	Break
3:30 p.m.	Grimm R. E. *	Venus Bridge Introduction
3:35 p.m.	Hunter G. W. *	Venus Bridge Study at Glenn Research Center
3:50 p.m.	Cutts J. A. *	Venus Bridge Study at Jet Proplusion Laboratory
4:05 p.m.	Grimm R. E. *	Venus Bridge Summary
4:15 p.m.	Cutts J. A. * Matthies L. H. Hall J. L. Thompson T. W. Venus Aerial Platform Study Team	Venus Aerial Platform Study [#8009] The Venus Aerial Platform Study assessed the science that can be accomplished for exploring Venus with aerial vehicles and the required technologies.
4:30 p.m.	Izenberg N. R. *	Venus Surface Platforms

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

VENUS SURFACE AND INTERIOR SCIENCE

8:30 a.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

Chair: Jennifer Whitten and Richard Ghail

Times	Authors (* Denotes Speaker)	Abstract Title and Summary
8:30 a.m.	Treiman A. H. * Wroblewski F. B. Bhiravarasu S.	Ovda Fluctus, the Festoon Lava Flow on Ovda Regio, Venus: Most Likely Basalt [#8014] We have mapped the lava flow Ovda Fluctus, on Ovda Regio, in detail. Ovda Fluctus has been interpreted as a silicic (rhyolite) lava flow. However, the preponderance of data suggests that it is composed of basaltic, not silicic, lava.
8:45 a.m.	Whitten J. L. * Campbell B. A.	Radar Backscatter Variations in Tessera Across Venus [#8018] Tessera radar brightness values vary across Venus. Some of these variations are spatially correlated with crater ejecta. Other brightness variations may be due to other fine grained materials and inherent differences in the tesserae source materials.
9:00 a.m.	Campbell B. A. * Whitten J. L.	New Insights on Maxwell Montes Surface Properties from Multi-Year Earth-Based Observations [#8030] We present initial results of Venus surface studies using Earth-based radar observations collected in 1988, 2012, 2015, and 2017. The new maps reveal unexpected variations in surface properties across Maxwell Montes.
9:15 a.m.	Dyar M. D. * Helbert J. Boucher T. Maturilli A. Walter I. Widemann T. Marcq E. Ferrari S. D’Amore M. Muller N. Smrekar S.	Venus Surface Oxidation and Weatehring as Viewed from Orbit with Six-Window VNIR Spectroscopy [#8015] Iron oxidation and changes in mineralogy due to surface/atmosphere interactions can be detected from orbit using a six-window orbital spectrometer.
9:30 a.m.	Knicely J. J. * Herrick R. R.	Atmospheric Windows to Image the Surface from Beneath the Cloud Deck on the Night Side of Venus [#8019] We explore possible atmospheric windows beneath the cloud deck to study the surface of the night side Venus. Numerous possible windows were found with the potential to elucidate questions about the composition and redox state of the surface of Venus.
9:45 a.m.	Ghail R. C. * Byrne P. K. Mason P. J.	Towards a New Understanding of Venus [#8013] In recent years there has been a convergence of ideas and observations that show Venus to be both more complex and active than previously thought. Here we review how a range of different processes contribute to the present-day appearance of Venus.
10:00 a.m.	Byrne P. K. * Ghail R. C. ?engör A. M. C. James P. B. Klimczak C. Solomon S. C.	A Globally Fragmented and Mobile Lithosphere on Venus [#8008] We report observations in support of a continuum of lithospheric mobility, with Earth’s “mobile lid” tectonics at one end, the “stagnant lid” tectonics of Mercury, Mars, and the Moon at the other, and Venus somewhere in between.
10:15 a.m.	Goossens S. * Mazarico E. Rosenblatt P. Lebonnois S. Lemoine F.	Venus Gravity Field Determination Using Magellan and Venus Express Tracking Data [#8029] We present an updated gravity field model for Venus from Magellan and Venus Express data. We focus on extending the temporal baseline to determine Venus’ Love number and rotational parameters, and the effects of the atmosphere on these parameters.
10:30 a.m.	Break

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

VENUS ASTROBIOLOGY AND EXOPLANETS

10:45 a.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

Chair: Giada Arney

Times	Authors (* Denotes Speaker)	Abstract Title and Summary
10:45 a.m.	Limaye S. S. * Mogul R. Jessup K. L. Gregg T. Pertzborn R. Ocampo A. Lee Y. J. Bullock M. A. Grinspoon D.	An Astrobiology Aspect for Exploring Venus Clouds [#8051] Possibility of life in the habitable zone in the cloud layer on Venus cannot be excluded from available measurements. It has been suggested that microorganisms may contribute to contrasts and albedo of Venus, making this an exploration objective.
11:00 a.m.	Arney G. N. *	Venus: The Exoplanet Laboratory Next Door [#8005] We review what present and past Venus teaches us context of comparative planetology and processes that shape habitability and biosignature “false positives” in exoplanet atmospheres. Venus plays a vital role in helping us understand exoplanets.
11:15 a.m.	Kane S. R. * Arney G. Crisp D. Domagal-Goldman S. Glaze L. S. Goldblatt C. Grinspoon D. Head J. W. Lenardic A. Unterborn C. Way M. J.	Venus: The Nearby Exoplanetary Laboratory [#8047] In this talk I will present the current state of detecting potential Venus analogs, expected yield from current exoplanet missions, and summarize the primary exoplanet science questions that would be addressed by a return surface mission to Venus.
11:30 a.m.	Smrekar S. E. * Davaille A.	Venus Geodynamics, Habitability, and Initiation of Subduction [#8036] Earth’s plate tectonics drives volcanism, tectonism, outgassing and recycling of volatiles, surface weathering, and potentially a core dynamo, all of which strongly influence long term habitability. Can Venus show us how plate tectonics begins?
11:45 a.m.	Sasaki S. * Yoshimura Y. Miyakawa A. Fujita K. Usui T. Ohno S. Yamagishi A. Limaye S. S.	Life Detection Microscope for Venus Cloud Particle Investigation [#8011] Sulfuric acid is not sufficient to explain the observed cloud contrasts and albedo of Venus. Life Detection Microscope is well-suited to detect possible microorganisms in the clouds, contributing to the spectroscopic characteristics.
12:00 p.m.	Lunch

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

VENUS ATMOSPHERE SCIENCE

1:30 p.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

Chair: Kevin McGouldrick

Times	Authors (* Denotes Speaker)	Abstract Title and Summary
1:30 p.m.	Justh H. L. * Dwyer Cianciolo A. M.	Planned Improvements to the Venus Global Reference Atmospheric Model [#8034] Venus-GRAM is an engineering-level atmospheric model applicable for engineering design analyses, mission planning, and operational decision making. This presentation is an overview of Venus-GRAM and the GRAM upgrade objectives, tasks, and milestones.
1:45 p.m.	Morellina S. Bellan J. *	Characteristics of the Venus Lower Atmosphere: Property Computations, Modeling and Simulations [#8001] Modeling and simulations are necessary to interpret the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig data, and determine lander interaction with the Venus Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). This study is initializing computations, modeling and simulations of the PBL.
2:00 p.m.	McGouldrick K. * Peralta J. Tsang C. C. Barstow J. Satoh T.	Capricious Cytherean Clouds: The Long and the Short of It [#8055] Seeking parallels / Between the clouds of VIRTIS / And Akatsuki.
2:15 p.m.	Ledvina S. A. * Brecht S. H.	Simulations of Ion Flow and Momentum Transfer in the Venus Environment [#8040] In this presentation the hypothesis of Lundin et al., that the orbital motion of Venus transverse to the solar wind flow drives the ion tail vortex and potentially the super-rotation up the upper atmosphere is tested.
2:30 p.m.	Break
2:45 p.m.	Kollmann P. * Brandt P. C. Collinson G. Rong Z. J. Futaana Y. Zhang T. L.	Planetward Ion Flows in Venus’ Magnetotail [#8020] Measurements in Venus magnetotail reveal plasma returning back to Venus, a behavior that is normal at magnetized planets but surprising at Venus. These flows are studied in order to understand both fundamental physics and atmospheric evolution.
3:00 p.m.	Bills B. G. * Navarro T. Schubert G. Ermakov A. Gorski K. M.	Gravitational Signatures of Atmospheric Mass Transport by Thermal Tides on Venus [#8007] Gravitational signatures of atmospheric mass transport by thermal tides on Venus have not yet been observed, but will surely be diagnostic of atmospheric dynamics. We examine the measurement accuracy necessary to recover these signals.
3:15 p.m.	Akins A. B. * Steffes P. G.	Millimeter-Wavelength Remote Sensing of the Tropospheric Structure of Venus: Exploratory Simulations [#8017] A microwave radiative transfer model of Venus is used to study the effects of varying the abundance of key atmospheric constituents on the observed brightness temperature. Changes in SO₂ and cloud aerosol density likely explain prior observations.
3:30 p.m.	Lebonnois S. * Schubert G. Forget F. Garate-Lopez I. LeSaux A. Navarro T. Spiga A.	Investigations Below the Clouds of Venus with the IPSL Venus GCM [#8024] In this work, we review the studies conducted with the IPSL Venus GCM on the atmosphere of Venus below the cloud base. This includes wave activity and its role on the angular momentum budget, as well as properties of the Planetary Boundary Layer.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

POSTER SESSION: VENUS SURFACE AND ATMOSPHERE SCIENCE

4:00 p.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

BACK TO TOP

Authors	Abstract Title and Summary
Williams K. E. Geissler P. E.	Do Venusian Antidunes Exist? [#8004] In this work we proceed under the working hypothesis that aeolian antidunes may exist on Venus, and we use characteristics of transverse dunes from the Al-Uzza Undae region of Venus to constrain the formative flow properties of putative antidunes.
Izenberg N. R. Kelly J. A.	Reinvestigation of Venusian Splotches with Magellan and Arecibo Radar Data [#8027] The scars of bolides / Exploded above Venus / Have yet more to tell.
Hensley S. Martin J. Oveisgharan S. Duan X. Campbell B.	Radar Performance Modeling for Venus Missions [#8035] This paper describes a radar performance model for imaging, stereo and interferometric modes operating from a Venus orbit.
Toner K. Gilmore M. S.	The Radiophysical Properties of Some Large Volcanoes on Venus [#8041] We observe that large volcanoes volcano have unique profiles of emissivity with elevation that may indicate differences in the type, abundance and/or age of ferroelectric minerals.
Gilmore M. S. Santos A. R. Greenwood J. P. Izenberg N. Hunter G. Treiman A. Abe K. Makel D.	Thirty Days on Venus: Chemical Changes Minerals Exposed to the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER) [#8039] Compositional changes including sulfurization of calcite, apatite, plagioclase and basalt glass (with oxida-tion) occurred over a 30-day exposure under Venus conditions in GEER.
Jindal A. S. Hayes A. G.	Unveiling the Interior of Venus: Using Tectonic Deformations Along Canali to Constrain Lithospheric Structure and Mantle Convection [#8037] Canali on Venus show uphill trends due to post-depositional tectonic deformations. We are studying the dominant length scales associated with the nearly periodic relief along canali profiles to infer the lithospheric structure and mantle convection.
McCabe R. M. Sayanagi K. M. Blalock J. J. Gunnarson J. L. Peralta J. Gray C. L. McGouldrick K. Imamura T. Watanabe S.	Observational Analysis of Venusian Atmospheric Equatorial Waves and Superrotation [#8042] We study the upper atmospheric winds of Venus through tracking cloud movement in UV images from Venus Express orbiter from 2006–2013. We also conduct ground-based observations in coordination with the JAXA Akatsuki spacecraft currently in orbit.
Lebonnois S. Schubert G. Bellan J. Kremic T. Nakley L. Phillips K. Navarro T.	An Experiment to Investigate Venus’s Deep Atmosphere [#8025] We have investigated the mixing behavior of N₂ and CO₂ in 100-bar pressure conditions with the GEER facility at NASA Glenn Research Center. This experiment was designed to study a hypothetical separation of the two gases in Venus’s deep atmosphere.
Wroblewski F. B. Treiman A. H. Bhiravarasu S.	Anomalous Radar Properties of Maxwell Montes: Results from Refined Stereo Altimetery [#8021] Magellan radar properties of Maxwell Montes vary both with elevation and location. Particuarly, north flanks of central Maxwell Montes have different properties than the south flanks.
Rastegar S. Jurdy D. M.	Venus’ Ishtar Terra: Topographic Analysis of Maxwell, Freyja, Akna and Danu Montes [#8046] Analysis of Magellan topographic data for quantitative comparison using principal component analysis of Venus’ 4 mountain chains allows for an independent and objective mode of comparison of the venusian mountains with terrestrial counterparts.
Balcerski J. A. Byrne P. K.	Fault Analysis of Venus Ridge Belts Using Stereo-Derived Topography [#8012] We use the stereo-derived topographic model to re-examine the structure of Venus’ ridge belts. Numerical and comparative analyses suggest that some of these ridge systems can be modeled as fault propagation folds with shallow detachment depths.
Hensley S. Nunes D. Mitchell K. Cotton K.	Magellan Intra-Cycle Venus Stereo Topography [#8026] We describe the use of intra-cycle stereo between adjacent orbit pairs as a source of topographic data and show that the spatial resolution and elevation accuracy are suitable for use in scientific investigations.
Bullock M. A. Grinspoon D. H. Limay S. S.	Follow the Sulfur [#8054] In situ investigations of Venus’ clouds are necessary to identify the agent that absorbs most of the sunlight entering Venus’ atmosphere. Studying the chemistry of Venus cloud aerosols is important for terrestrial studies and in the search for life.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

POSTER SESSION: VENUS TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUMENT STUDIES

4:00 p.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

BACK TO TOP

Authors	Abstract Title and Summary
Rabinovitch J. Sotin C. Borner A. Gallis M. A. Avice G. Darrach M. Madzunkov S. Marty B. Baker J. Mansour N. N.	Feasibility of Hypervelocity Sampling of Noble Gases in the Upper Atmosphere of Venus [#8022] Cupid’s Arrow is a mission concept that would determine the amount of noble gases and associated isotope ratios in the Venus atmosphere. This work investigates whether the gas sampled at ~10 km/s is representative of the true Venus atmosphere.
Vergados P. Ao C. O. Komjathy A. Preston R. Navarro T. Schubert G. Atkinson D. Cutts J. Asmar S. Lazio J.	Investigating Waves in the Venus Atmosphere via Radio Occultations Between Orbiting SmallSats [#8032] The objective of this study is to investigate the spatial-temporal coverage obtained by a constellation of small satellites via occultation soundings. We analyze different orbiting scenarios including, small satellites flying in tandem configuration.
Runyon K. D. Izenberg N. R. McNutt R. L. Bradburne C. E. Shelhamer M.	Crewed Venus Flyby: Precursor to Mars [#8033] A human flyby of Venus is a compelling exploration/science and Mars precursor mission. More attention to such an achievable mission is merited.
Shibata E.	Propulsive Aerocapture Feasibility at Venus [#8052] Aeropropcapture (APC) is the use of propulsion during an aerocapture maneuver to control the vehicle. APC allows for non-lifting vehicles to achieve a large enough corridor width to successfully complete the maneuver.
O’Rourke J. G.	Detecting Crustal Remanent Magnetism on the Surface of Venus: Required Instrument Performance and Mission Design [#8053] Future missions should search for crustal remanent magnetism on the surface of Venus (and I’ll tell you why and how).

Thursday, November 8, 2018

VENUS TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUMENT STUDIES

8:30 a.m. Bldg. 200, Room 100

Chair: Jonathan Sauder and Ethiraj Venkatapathy

Times	Authors (* Denotes Speaker)	Abstract Title and Summary
8:30 a.m.	Venkatapathy E. * Allergy D. Gage P.	Enabling Future Venus In-Situ Missions — Heat-Shield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET) Progress Towards TRL 6 [#8002] Heat-shield for Extreme Entry Environment Technolo-gy (HEEET) is nearing completion and results from recent full scale engineering test unit, arc jet testing and shock testing will be highlighted and plans for completion by March of 2019 will be outlined.
8:45 a.m.	Kremic T. * Ghail R. Gilmore M. Kiefer W. Limaye S. Hunter G. Tolbert C. Pauken M. Wilson C.	SAEVe: Study Results for a Long Duration Venus Lander [#8010] This briefing will describe the final results of the Seismic and Atmospheric Exploration of Venus (SAEVe) mission concept study. The SAEVe concept is a long duration Venus lander based on high temperature electronics and instruments.
9:00 a.m.	Helbert J. * Dyar D. Walter I. Wendler D. Widemann T. Marcq E. Guignan G. Maturilli A. Ferrari S. Mueller N. Kappel D. D’Amore M. Boerner A. Tsang C. Arnold G. Smrekar S. Ghail R.	The Venus Emissivity Mapper (VEM) — Obtaining Global Mineralogy of Venus from Orbit [#8023] The Venus Emissivity Mapper has a mature design with an existing laboratory prototype verifying an achievable instrument SNR of well above 1000 as well as a predicted error in the retrieval of relative emissivity of better than 1%.
9:15 a.m.	Baines K. H. * Cutts J. A. Nikolic D. Madzunkov S. M. Delitsky M. L. Limaye S. S. McGouldrick K.	The Venus Aerosol Mass Spectrometer Concept [#8031] A progress report on JPL’s lightweight, low-power in-situ instrument to measure the composition of venusian aerosols, including the UV haze, for use on aerial missions, including long-duration balloon missions and short-duration probe missions.
9:30 a.m.	Hwang H. H. *	A Common Probe Design for Multiple Planetary Destinations [#8038] Results from the Common Probe study funded by PSD/SMD NASA, investigating feasibility of using a common aeroshell design for Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
9:45 a.m.	Sauder J. F. * Hilgemann E. Stack K. Kawata J. Parness A. Johnson M.	Automaton Rover for Extreme Environments: Enabling Long Duration Venus Surface Mobility [#8043] The Automaton Rover is a mechanical rover powered by the wind which could survive on Venus for weeks and provide mobility. The concept could obtain samples from multiple geologic units or collect surface samples for return.
10:00 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m.	Grimm R. E. *	High-Altitude Electromagnetic Sounding of the Interior of Venus: Stratospheric Balloon Test [#8048] Lightning-caused electromagnetic energy penetrates deeply into dry Venus, allowing temperature structure to be probed from high altitude. Two stratospheric balloon flights tested the method on Earth.
10:30 a.m.	Grandidier J. * Kirk A. P. Osowski M. L. Gogna P. K. Fan S. Lee M. L. Stevens M. A. Jahelka P. Tagliabue G. Atwater H. A. Cutts J. A.	Solar Spectrum and Intensity Analysis Under Venus Atmosphere Conditions for Photovoltaics Operation [#8003] Solar spectrum and intensity at Venus is significantly different and weaker from Earth. We analyze solar spectrum and intensity under Venus atmosphere conditions for photovoltaics operation.
10:45 a.m.	Pradeepkumar Girija A. * Lu Y. Saikia S. J.	Feasibility and Mass-Benefit of Aerocapture for SmallSat Missions to Venus [#8044] Aerocapture is an attractive orbit insertion technique for SmallSats to Venus. Comprehensive feasibility and mass-benefit of various control methods — lift modulation, drag modulation and hybrid propulsive-aerocapture technique will be presented.
11:00 a.m.	Vaughn L. A. *	An Atmospheric Platform for ISRU and Long-Term Investigation of Venus [#8049] A discussion of an atmosphere-centric approach to planetary-scale exploration of Venus, with multiple investigation targets on the ground and in the atmosphere.
11:15 a.m.	Krishnamoorthy S. * Bowman D. C. Martire L. Komjathy A. Cutts J. A. Pauken M. T. Garcia R. F. Mimoun D. Lai V. Jackson J. M.	The Road to Venus Seismology via Oklahoma [#8016] We are developing techniques to detect quakes from balloons to circumvent the problem of landing and surviving on Venus’ hostile surface for long enough periods to perform seismology. We will discuss how the state of Oklahoma can help us do this.
11:30 a.m.	Adjourn