Blinds of Venus

While I was thinking about the balloon Venus explorer I had proposed earlier, I recognized how susceptible its thin walls would be against the dust storms of Venus. My other alternative explorers utilized multiple wings to increase the lift and strengthen the high aspect ratio wings. I thought about a more compact version of these multi-wings. Window blinds inspired me. When they are rotated, they would align to form a thin wall.

My new Venus explorer would have window blind like high aspect ratio wings made of titanium for light weight and high temperature resistance. When the explorer is released from the rocket stage that is approaching Venus, the blinds would be rotated to form a kind of solar sail. The solar wind would be utilized to slow down the explorer during its descent to Venus. As the explorer approaches Venus atmosphere, it would rotate back to form a multi-wing. This would allow the atmosphere to create lift to counteract the gravity and reduce its descent speed.

The thin titanium plates will allow it to curl. Independently rotatable right and left side of the blind will allow the explorer to maneuver. Unlike window blinds that use cables to control blind rotation, Venus explorer will utilize solid carbon nanotube rods. This will keep the spacing between the wings constant and increase its rigidity.

Venus explorer will have no active propulsion but utilize the winds of Venus to navigate like a glider. The electronics and the actuators will be powered by nuclear battery. This will make the explorer lighter and more compact compared to mechanical systems attached on it. The battery will also actively cool the electronics which would be made of Silicon Carbide. Due to low power on board. This explorer will only be able to communicate with a Venus orbiting relay satellite to communicate with Earth.