# VERITAS

> proposed spacecraft mission to Venus

**Wikidata**: [Q21083280](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21083280)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VERITAS_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/veritas

## Summary
VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy) is a proposed NASA spacecraft mission designed to explore the planet Venus. It is classified as a planetary probe and orbiter intended to map the planet's surface and study its geological composition.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy
- **Classification:** Proposed planetary probe and orbiter
- **Target Body:** Venus
- **Funding Agency:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Operating Agency:** Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- **Country of Origin:** United States
- **Scientific Instruments:** Venus Emissivity Mapper and Venus Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar
- **NSSDCA ID:** VERITAS
- **Instance Of:** Proposed entity

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary goal of the VERITAS mission?
A: VERITAS is a proposed mission to investigate Venus using an orbiter. It aims to study the planet's surface through topography, spectroscopy, and radar imaging to better understand its geological characteristics.

### Q: Who is responsible for managing and funding VERITAS?
A: The mission is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the United States.

### Q: What scientific tools will the VERITAS spacecraft use?
A: The spacecraft is designed to carry two primary instruments: the Venus Emissivity Mapper and the Venus Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (VISAR). These tools will allow for detailed mapping and emissivity studies of the Venusian surface.

## Why It Matters
VERITAS represents a critical proposed advancement in the study of terrestrial planets. As a dedicated orbiter, it is designed to provide high-resolution data on Venus, a planet often described as Earth’s twin but with a vastly different atmospheric and surface evolution. By utilizing specialized instruments like the Venus Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (VISAR) and the Venus Emissivity Mapper (VEM), the mission seeks to provide the scientific community with detailed topographical and compositional maps that are currently unavailable. 

The mission's significance is highlighted by its management under the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and its inclusion in NASA’s planetary exploration portfolio. Understanding the emissivity and topography of Venus is essential for determining the planet's volcanic history and geological activity. This data is not only vital for planetary science but also for comparative planetology, helping researchers understand why Venus and Earth followed such different evolutionary paths.

## Notable For
- **Advanced Radar Imaging:** Designed to utilize Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to create high-resolution maps of the Venusian surface.
- **Surface Composition Analysis:** Notable for carrying the Venus Emissivity Mapper, an instrument specifically designed to study the planet's surface emissivity and spectroscopy.
- **JPL Operation:** Managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the primary U.S. center for robotic exploration of the solar system.
- **Global Scientific Interest:** The mission is recognized internationally, with documentation and sitelinks available across 10 different language editions of Wikipedia.

## Body
### Mission Classification and Target
VERITAS is a proposed space exploration mission focused on the planet Venus. It is categorized as both a planetary probe and an orbiter. The mission's primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the Venusian environment from orbit.

### Technical Specifications and Instrumentation
The spacecraft is designed to carry a suite of sophisticated scientific instruments to achieve its mission goals:
*   **Venus Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (VISAR):** This instrument is intended for high-resolution topographic mapping and the study of surface features.
*   **Venus Emissivity Mapper (VEM):** This tool is designed to perform spectroscopy and map the emissivity of the planet's surface to determine its composition.

### Organizational Context
The mission is a United States-led initiative:
*   **Funder:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
*   **Operator:** Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
*   **Identification:** The mission is tracked under the NSSDCA ID "VERITAS" and the Google Knowledge Graph ID "/g/11bw64vxr5."

### International Presence
The proposed mission has generated significant global interest, as evidenced by its presence in multiple digital knowledge bases. It maintains a sitelink count of 17 and is documented in languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Korean, and Indonesian.