Venus-Analog Laboratory Measurements: Supporting DAVINCI and Future Venus Exploration

The broad value of laboratory research for supporting observations has been demonstrated for decades, and much of the current understanding of the universe is built on fundamental laboratory research. Simulating planetary environments is challenging, but necessary to understand the observations gathered by mission instruments. The Planetary Spectroscopy Laboratory (PSL) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR; Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) in Berlin identified the need for spectral measurements of planetary analogues from the visible to the far-infrared at relevant Venus temperatures and have designed a lab to provide these vital data.The objective of this work was to conduct laboratory measurements to generate a critical foundation for the DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission to Venus, while creating valuable opportunities for synergistic science with VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy) and EnVision. By taking reflectivity and emissivity measurements of Venus-analog minerals and rocks in band passes relevant to DAVINCI’s VISOR (Venus Imaging System for Observational Reconnaissance) and VenDI (Venus Descent Imager) Instruments we are able to provide essential reference data for instrument calibration, model validation, and interpretation of surface measurements. These spectroscopic measurements under Venus-like temperatures provide essential ground truth data that will significantly enhance our ability to interpret DAVINCI's near-infrared reflectance measurements of the Venus surface. By characterizing the spectral properties of Venus-analog minerals and rocks under carefully controlled temperature conditions, we establish vital spectroscopy reference libraries that bridge theoretical models with the actual planetary observations that DAVINCI, VERITAS and EnVision will collect. This laboratory work, while primarily supporting DAVINCI's science goals, naturally creates opportunities for knowledge transfer across all three Venus missions, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of Venus's surface composition and atmospheric interactions.This work is particularly valuable for DAVINCI's descent phase observations, while also providing contextual information that will benefit orbital observations from DAVINCI and it’s sister missions. As DAVINCI prepares to make the first direct measurements of Venus's highlands, this foundational laboratory work will be instrumental in maximizing the scientific return from this historic mission while establishing connections to the broader Venus exploration program.