Russia has officially announced plans to return to Venus exploration through its ambitious Venera-D interplanetary mission, which is now included in the country’s national space program. The mission, expected to launch before 2036, represents a major milestone in Russian planetary exploration and its long-term focus on deep space research.

Preliminary Design Work to Begin in 2026

According to Oleg Korablev, head of the Department of Planetary Physics at the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Venera-D spacecraft design process will begin in January 2026. The draft design stage will take around two years, after which the official launch date will be finalized.

The Lavochkin Association, a leading Russian aerospace enterprise, has been tasked with development, ensuring that both design and technology preparation remain on track. Coordination meetings are already underway to align efforts across multiple space agencies.

Launch Timeline: No Later Than 2036

While the exact date will depend on final design completion, Korablev confirmed that the mission’s schedule will remain within the current planning framework—no later than 2036. Earlier projections by academician Lev Zeleny from IKI suggested the launch may realistically occur around 2034 or 2035.

Mission Components: Orbiter, Lander, and Balloon Probe

The Venera-D Venus mission is expected to be one of the most comprehensive planetary exploration projects undertaken by Russia. Planned mission elements include:

• Orbital spacecraft – for long-term monitoring of Venus’s atmosphere and climate.
• Lander module – to study surface geology and chemical composition.
• Balloon probe – to investigate the dense Venusian atmosphere and pressure conditions.

This combination of exploration tools will provide crucial insights into the habitability, atmospheric chemistry, and geological history of Venus.

Renewed Russian Focus on Planetary Exploration

The Venera-D project reflects Russia’s renewed commitment to planetary missions, decades after its earlier Venera program that first sent probes to Venus in the Soviet era. With Venus considered one of the most extreme and intriguing planets in the solar system, the mission is expected to contribute significantly to our understanding of atmospheric dynamics, volcanic activity, and potential habitability.

Key Takeaways

• Russia’s Venera-D mission officially part of the new national space program.
• Preliminary design phase begins January 2026 under the Space Research Institute (IKI).
• Development led by Lavochkin Association, with a launch deadline of 2036.
• Mission to include orbiter, lander, and balloon probe for extensive Venus studies.
• Marks a significant step in Russia’s planetary exploration and interplanetary research.

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