Today a proposal for a Venus orbiter has been submitted to the European Space Agency. The orbiter, called EnVision, would focus on geology: the main tool is a radar instrument, capable of returning imagery at spatial resolutions approaching 1m / pixel, as well as powerful topographical capabilities. This is complemented by sub-surface radar sounding, to reveal the three-dimensional structure of geological features like volcanic flows. The third scientific instrument is mapper of thermal emission of the surface, which can detect hot volcanic flow features and mineral variations, combined with a spectrometer which will search for volcanic gas plumes in the lower atmosphere of Venus.

This mission is in competition with some 30 or more other mission proposals, only one of which will eventually get launched. The launch date is expected to be in 20204-2025.

More information, and an opportunity to register as a supporter of the mission, can be found at www.envisionm4.net.