Venus Express probe in Intespace facility

ESA's Venus Express probe during testing in February 2005.

Venus Express, ESA's first mission to Earth's nearest planetary neighbour, Venus. It was launched from Baikonur a top a Soyuz-Fregat vehicle on 9 November 2005 and arrive around the planet on 11 April 2006. The mission is due to last for two Venusian days, i.e. about 500 Earth days.

The probe's payload comprises a combination of spectrometers, spectro-imagers and imagers covering a wavelength range from ultraviolet to thermal infrared, a plasma analyser and a magnetometer to study the atmosphere, plasma environment and surface of Venus in great detail.