VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography And Spectroscopy): A Proposed Discovery Mission

Abstract

VERITAS addresses one of the most fundamental questions in rocky planetary evolution: why did these twin planets diverged down different evolutionary paths? Venus may hold lessons for past and future Earth. Venus’ hot lithosphere may be a good analog for early Earth, and could be responsible for the apparent lack of plate tectonic [1]. Determining the factors that lead to the initiation of plate tectonics would inform our predictions for rocky Earth-sized exoplanets. VERITAS answers key questions about Venus’ geologic evolution, determine what processes are currently active, and search for evidence for past or present water. VERITAS would launch in 2026.