Voyage Plan

Launch

Delta II-7920H, 3 stage rocket
Launch facilities at Space Launch Complex 17 (SLC-17)
Launch Date: 01JUL2017

image courtesy of United Launch Alliance http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/default.shtml

Transfer Orbit

Conduct minimum energy Hohmann Transfer Orbit to intercept Venus in 146 days on 24NOV2017.

Rendezvous with Venus and enter circular holding orbit until Earth and Venus are 50 days prior to inferior conjunction.

Deorbiting and Landing

Five days prior to ground mission start, commence deorbiting maneuvers. Upon landing, commence drilling operations to ensure proper placement of the onboard seismometer. Upon ground mission start, the lander should be within line-of-sight with Earth and commence a 90 day seismic and atmospheric survey.

Landing Site

There are a wide variety of landing sites to choose from on Venus. We propose one of the lowlands near the equator to provide the best possible line-of-sight angle back to Earth.

For a more detailed look at some of the aspects, please have a look at the linked pdf: Voyage Plan