The tail of Venus and the weak solar wind 29 January 2013 Measurements obtained with ESA's Venus Express spacecraft have shed new light on the interaction between the solar wind and the second planet from the Sun. Read more
Venus Express is a satellite optimised for studying the atmosphere of Venus, from the surface right up to the ionosphere. It has been successfully operating in orbit around Venus since April 2006.
Latest News
A new episode of active volcanism on Venus? 02 December 2012 For decades, planetary scientists have debated whether Venus possesses active volcanoes. The latest twist to the tale is provided by data sent back from Venus Express, revealing unexplained major changes in the amount of sulphur dioxide gas above the planet's dense cloud layer. Read more
A curious cold layer in the atmosphere of Venus 01 October 2012 Venus Express has spied a surprisingly cold region high in the planet's atmosphere that may be frigid enough for carbon dioxide to freeze out as ice or snow. Read more
Latest Status Reports
No. 256 – Continuation of the fourteenth Earth occultation season, start of the twenty-third eclipse season, and start of surface imaging campaign 28 March 2013 This reporting period covers four weeks of Venus Express operations, from 6 January to 2 February 2013, and includes the continuation of the fourteenth occultation season, the start of the twenty-third eclipse season, and start of the Venus surface imaging campaign. Read more
No. 255 - Start of the fourteenth Earth occultation season, completion of the tenth Atmospheric Drag Experiment campaign 12 March 2013 This reporting period covers four weeks of Venus Express operations, 9 December 2012 to 5 january 2013, and includes the start of the fourteenth occultation season, end of the tenth Atmospheric Drag Experiment campaign, and pericentre altitude raising using four orbit correction manoeuvres. Read more
No. 254 - End of the twenty-second eclipse season, start of the tenth atmospheric drag experiment campaign, routine star tracker calibration, and straylight calibration for Comet Machholz observations 11 February 2013 This reporting period covers four weeks of Venus Express operations, from 11 November to 8 December 2012. It includes the end of the twenty-second eclipse season, battery charge reconfiguration and a deep discharge test, start of the tenth atmospheric drag experiment campaign, routine star tracker calibration and straylight calibration for Comet Machholz observations. Read more


