In a momentous recognition of her groundbreaking work in planetary science, Suzanne Smrekar, the principal investigator of NASA's forthcoming VERITAS mission to Venus, has been honored with the esteemed Fred Whipple Award. This accolade was presented on December 9 at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington, D.C., making her the first recipient from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Suzanne Smrekar's Whipple Lecture

Smrekar delivered an inspiring Whipple Lecture titled “To Venus: A Love Letter from Earth and Beyond,” where she articulated her deep passion for unraveling the mysteries of Venus, a planet that has long intrigued scientists. Her drive to understand planetary evolution now pivots towards investigating why Venus and Earth, two rocky planets of similar sizes, wound up on such diverging developmental paths. The upcoming VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy) mission, slated for launch in the early 2030s, aims to explore the planet in unprecedented detail, mapping its surface and studying its geological history—essentially aiming to unveil the secrets locked beneath its thick, hostile atmosphere.

Smrekar's Journey in Space Science

Smrekar's journey in space science began at JPL in 1992, where she initially contributed to the Magellan mission. This mission provided the first radar images of Venus, captivating scientists, including Smrekar, with the strange, alien landscapes presented. “It was exhilarating! I was hooked on space exploration and on Venus!” she remarked, illustrating her lifelong commitment to planetary exploration.

Growing Interest in Venus's Geology

Reflecting the growing interest in Venus's geology, recent analyses of Magellan data have suggested active volcanism on the planet, increasing anticipation for the VERITAS mission. This mission will work in tandem with NASA’s DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission, which aims to delve into the atmospheric composition of Venus, scheduled for launch alongside VERITAS.

International Collaboration on VERITAS

VERITAS is a collaborative effort, with partners that include Lockheed Martin Space, the Italian Space Agency, the German Aerospace Center, and the French Centre National d’Études Spatiales. This international collaboration signifies the comprehensive approach to understanding Venus, drawing from diverse expertise in planetary science.

Looking Ahead to Future Insights

As the excitement builds toward the launch of VERITAS and DAVINCI, the scientific community is eager to gain insights that could potentially reshape our understanding of planetary evolution, not just for Venus but for other rocky planets in our solar system. Keep your eyes on these missions—they promise to unlock the secrets of our celestial neighbor and may redefine what we know about Earth-like planets!