Glossary V

A vacuum is a space with the absence of (nearly) everything.

A Valve is a mechanical devices that is used to control the flow of fluids gases, and other materials. Valves are commonly used in a variety of aerospace systems, including fuel systems, hydraulic systems, and environmental control systems.

Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) is a United States Air Force installation located in Santa Barbara County, California, USA. It is primarily used for space and missile launches, as well as testing and training.

Deutsch: Variabilität / Español: Variabilidad / Português: Variabilidade / Français: Variabilité / Italiano: Variabilità

Variability in the space industry context refers to the changes or fluctuations in environmental conditions, mission parameters, and operational performance that space missions must account for to ensure success. Variability is inherent in many aspects of space exploration and operations, including space weather, launch conditions, orbital mechanics, and satellite communications. Effective management of variability is essential to minimize risks, optimize performance, and ensure the adaptability of systems in the unpredictable environment of space.

Deutsch: Variation / Español: Variación / Português: Variação / Français: Variation / Italiano: Variazione

Variation in the space industry context refers to the differences or changes that occur in various aspects of space missions, technology, and environmental conditions. These variations can impact satellite orbits, spacecraft performance, or mission outcomes and often require careful monitoring and adjustment to maintain mission effectiveness and safety.

Vastness in the context of the space industry refers to the sheer magnitude and expanse of the universe, which includes galaxies, star systems, planets, and the infinite space between them. The space industry, by its very nature, deals with the incomprehensible vastness of space, presenting both awe-inspiring opportunities and daunting challenges. In this article, we will delve into the concept of vastness within the space industry, exploring its implications, risks, and various application areas.

Vega is the name of a European Space Agency (ESA) launch vehicle. Vega is a small to medium-sized, four-stage rocket designed to carry payloads of up to 1.5 metric tons into a variety of orbits, including low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, and geostationary transfer orbit.

Deutsch: Vegetation / Español: Vegetación / Português: Vegetação / Français: Végétation / Italiano: Vegetazione

Vegetation in the context of the space industry refers to the study and monitoring of plant life on Earth from space. This involves the use of satellites and other space-based technologies to observe, measure, and analyze various aspects of vegetation, including its distribution, health, and changes over time.

In the aerospace context, velocity refers to the speed and direction of an object as it moves through space. Velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (speed) and direction.

In the aerospace context, ventilation refers to the process of providing fresh air to the interior of an aircraft, spacecraft, or other aerospace vehicle.

Venus refers to the second planet from the sun in our solar system. It is often referred to as Earth's sister planet due to its similar size and composition.

Deutsch: Venus Express / Español: Venus Express / Português: Venus Express / Français: Venus Express / Italiano: Venus Express

Venus Express was a mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) dedicated to studying Venus from orbit. Launched in 2005, it was the first ESA mission to Venus and provided critical insights into the planet's atmosphere, climate, and surface characteristics.

Description

Venus Express was an ESA space mission aimed at exploring Venus, the second planet from the Sun. The spacecraft was launched on 9 November 2005 and entered orbit around Venus on 11 April 2006. The mission's primary objective was to conduct a detailed study of Venus's atmosphere, surface, and plasma environment.

Venus Express utilized a suite of seven scientific instruments to observe the planet across various wavelengths, including ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and microwave. These instruments enabled the spacecraft to perform comprehensive studies of Venus's atmospheric composition, structure, and dynamics, as well as investigate the interaction between the solar wind and the planetary atmosphere.

One of the key discoveries of the mission was the confirmation of a double atmospheric vortex at the planet's south pole, similar to a previously known vortex at the north pole. Venus Express also detected signs of volcanic activity on the surface, contributing to our understanding of the planet's geological processes.

The mission lasted until 2014, far exceeding its planned operational period of 500 days. Venus Express provided valuable data that has significantly advanced our knowledge of Venus and its similarities and differences with Earth.

Special Aspects

Extended Mission Duration: Although initially planned to operate for 500 days, Venus Express continued its mission for over eight years, demonstrating the robustness and efficiency of its design and operation.

Aerobraking Campaign: Towards the end of its mission, Venus Express conducted an aerobraking campaign, where it lowered its orbit into the upper layers of Venus's atmosphere to gather data on atmospheric density and composition at lower altitudes. This maneuver also tested aerobraking techniques for future missions.

Application Areas

Venus Express played a significant role in several areas within the space industry, including:

1. Atmospheric Studies: Providing detailed information on the composition, temperature, and dynamics of Venus's atmosphere, including the discovery of atmospheric vortices.
2. Climate Research: Investigating the greenhouse effect on Venus, which offers insights into similar processes on Earth and contributes to climate change studies.
3. Geological Exploration: Observing volcanic activity and surface features to understand the planet's geological history and evolution.
4. Plasma Environment: Studying the interaction between Venus's atmosphere and the solar wind, which is crucial for understanding space weather effects.
5. Mission Planning: Testing aerobraking techniques and gathering data to inform the design of future missions to Venus and other planetary bodies.

Well-Known Examples

1. Polar Vortices: Venus Express discovered a double atmospheric vortex at Venus's south pole, enhancing our understanding of atmospheric dynamics on the planet.
2. Volcanic Activity: The mission provided evidence of ongoing volcanic activity on Venus's surface, suggesting that the planet is geologically active.
3. Greenhouse Effect: By studying Venus's thick carbon dioxide atmosphere, Venus Express contributed valuable data on the extreme greenhouse effect, which can inform models of climate change on Earth.
4. Surface Mapping: The spacecraft's instruments allowed for detailed mapping of Venus's surface, revealing various geological formations and features.
5. Aerobraking Experiment: The successful aerobraking campaign demonstrated the feasibility of this technique for future missions, reducing fuel requirements and mission costs.

Treatment and Risks

Venus Express faced several challenges and risks during its mission, including:

1. Harsh Environment: Venus's extreme temperatures, high pressure, and corrosive atmosphere posed significant risks to the spacecraft's instruments and systems.
2. Communication: Maintaining reliable communication with Earth was challenging due to the distance and the dense Venusian atmosphere.
3. Orbital Maneuvers: Conducting precise orbital maneuvers, such as the aerobraking campaign, required careful planning and execution to avoid damaging the spacecraft.

Similar Terms

1. Magellan Mission: A NASA mission to Venus that used radar mapping to study the planet's surface.
2. Akatsuki: A Japanese space mission currently studying Venus's atmosphere and weather patterns.
3. Venera Program: A series of Soviet missions that successfully landed probes on Venus and returned data about its surface and atmosphere.
4. Mars Express: An ESA mission to Mars that shares some similarities with Venus Express in terms of mission design and scientific goals.
5. Pioneer Venus: NASA's mission that included both an orbiter and multiple probes to study Venus's atmosphere and surface.

Summary

Venus Express was a pioneering ESA mission dedicated to studying Venus from orbit. Launched in 2005, it provided invaluable data on the planet's atmosphere, surface, and interaction with the solar wind. The mission's discoveries, such as atmospheric vortices and signs of volcanic activity, have significantly advanced our understanding of Venus. Despite the challenges posed by the harsh Venusian environment, Venus Express exceeded its planned mission duration and contributed to future mission planning through its successful aerobraking campaign.

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Deutsch: Vielseitigkeit / Español: Versatilidad / Português: Versatilidade / Français: Polyvalence / Italiano: Versatilità

Versatility in the space industry refers to the ability of spacecraft, satellites, rockets, and space technologies to perform a wide range of functions, adapt to different mission requirements, or operate in diverse environments. In this context, versatility is a highly valued characteristic because it allows for flexibility in design, operation, and application, which can lead to cost savings, mission success, and technological innovation.

In the aerospace or aviation context, "vertex" can refer to a number of different things, depending on the context in which it is used.

Deutsch: Vesta / Español: Vesta / Português: Vesta / Français: Vesta / Italiano: Vesta

Vesta in the space industry context refers to one of the largest objects in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and was the destination of NASA's Dawn mission. As the second-largest asteroid, after Ceres, Vesta is unique because it has characteristics of a small planet, including a differentiated structure with a crust, mantle, and core, similar to Earth. The Dawn spacecraft, launched in 2007, arrived at Vesta in 2011 and spent over a year orbiting and studying the asteroid before proceeding to its next target, Ceres. The mission provided invaluable data about Vesta's composition, surface features, and history, enhancing our understanding of the early solar system's formation and evolution.

VHF --->'Very High Frequency'

Vibration refers to the oscillation or movement of an object or structure due to the periodic application of a force. Vibration can occur in aerospace systems and components due to a variety of factors, such as the operation of mechanical systems, the movement of fluids or gases, or the impact of external forces, such as wind or turbulence.

Deutsch: Schwingungsisolation / Español: Aislamiento de Vibraciones / Português: Isolamento de Vibrações / Français: Isolation des Vibrations / Italiano: Isolamento dalle Vibrazioni

Vibration Isolation in the space industry refers to the techniques and technologies used to reduce or eliminate the transmission of vibrations from one part of a spacecraft, satellite, or launch vehicle to another. This is crucial for protecting sensitive equipment, such as scientific instruments, sensors, and payloads, from the potentially damaging effects of vibrations during launch, spaceflight, and operation. Vibration isolation helps ensure the accuracy and longevity of these systems, preventing operational failures that could compromise the success of a mission.

Vibroacoustic refers to the study of the interaction between vibrations and sound in a system. In the aerospace context, vibroacoustic analysis is used to understand and predict the effects of vibrations and noise on aircraft and spacecraft, as well as on the people and equipment on board.

Vicinity in the space industry context refers to the region or area surrounding a celestial body, spacecraft, satellite, or other objects in space. It is a term used to describe the proximity or nearby surroundings of a specific location in space. Understanding and monitoring the vicinity of space objects is crucial for mission planning, navigation, and safety, as well as for scientific observations and research. In this article, we will explore the significance of vicinity in the space industry, provide examples of its application in various space missions, and discuss similar concepts related to space exploration and navigation.