The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Magnetometers can detect tiny amounts of hydrogen originating from Venus in the solar wind by sensing small variations in the magnetic field
caused by the presence of these particles in the undisturbed solar wind. Analysing these variations, or plasma waves, one can calculate how much of
the hydrogen in the solar wind originates from Venus. Since all of these particles escape the planet, one can calculate how much hydrogen is lost
outside the plasma wake.
The plasma analyser ASPERA is able to measure hydrogen (H+) originating from Venus in the wake. One can also calculate how much is lost
through the wake. This number is much higher than what is lost in the solar wind, therefore: Venus loses its hydrogen through the wake!