Combinatory Architecture offering Neomobility, on-Venus Adaptability, and Survivability (CANVAS)

CANVAS proposes three key innovations to extend Venus surface mission lifetime while providing mobility: a closed Brayton cycle radioisotope power system using the rover's spherical exterior as a radiator; internal electronic and science components that operate at ultra‑high temperatures and pressures; and a surface mobility subsystem with no externally exposed mechanisms, combining a flywheel and an aeolipile driven by a compressor that ejects compressed Venus atmosphere to roll the spherical rover. Venus surface missions have typically targeted short stays in fixed locations due to extremely harsh environmental conditions and the lifetime limitations imposed by conventional power, thermal, and structural solutions; in contrast, the CANVAS rover could survive several Earth years instead of the minutes to hours achieved by past Venus’s landers, enabling sustained science and stakeholder interest. A representative mission would expand on what the DaVinci probe attempted in its 18‑minute descent, adding roving science instruments (environmental and chemical monitors, seismometer, cameras) and relaying data via an orbiting Venus satellite. By the end of Phase III, a working CANVAS prototype is targeted.

INNOVATION: Venus surface missions have typically targeted short stays in fixed locations due to the extremely harsh conditions there and the lifetime limitations imposed by typical power, thermal, and structural solutions. We propose three key innovations to extend mission lifetime while also providing surface mobility: (1) closed Brayton cycle radioisotope power system that uses the rover exterior spherical surface as its radiator; (2) internal electronic and science components that operate at ultra-high temperatures/pressures (T/P); and (3) a surface mobility subsystem that requires no externally exposed mechanisms. The lifetime of this rover could exceed several Earth years. IMPACT: Missions with extremely limited durations may have an equally limited duration of appeal to key science, political, and public stakeholders. Thus, missions to the surface of Venus that target minutes or a just few hours of operability are unlikely to maintain stakeholder support. If a means of survival on Venus -- while performing science measurements for stays measured in years not hours -- can be reasonably postulated, developing that means of survival should be vigorously pursued. Thus, the impact of this proposed effort would be future Venus surface missions that are not simply in vogue one year and out of vogue the next, but missions that have a long-lasting appeal. MISSION: One possible proposed mission would be a greatly expanded version of what the DaVinci probe hopes to accomplish over its 18 minutes of on-surface lifetime, but to do so over a much longer period of time and to do so while roving to other locations. Internal science components would include ultra-high T/P (UHTP) capable environmental/chemical monitors, a UHTP-capable seismometer, and other yet to be determined UHTP-capable instruments (including cameras). Comm with Earth data stations would require uploading data to an orbiting Venus relay satellite using a UHTP-capable comm system/external antenna. Data processing requires a UHTP-capable processor. Plus, a new title of DaVinci-CANVAS (or DC) is a subtle nod to key purse-string stakeholders. APPROACH: The proposed accomplishments include designing, sizing, and selecting: (1) closed Brayton cycle power subsystem elements; (2) ultra-high T/P (UHTP) capable components; and (3) surface mobility subsystem elements. The surface mobility subsystem combines a UHTP-capable flywheel powerful enough to cause the spherical rover to rotate/move and an aeolipile driven by an internal UHTP-capable compressor to compress the Venus atmosphere and eject it from opposing sides of the sphere with enough force (thrust) to cause the spherical rover to rotate/move. To survive exposure to the UHTP and corrosive environment will require novel design/sizing/selection of the required componentry. By the end of Phase III, a working CANVAS prototype is targeted.

Missions with extremely limited durations may have an equally limited duration of appeal to key science, politics, and public stakeholders. Thus, missions to the surface of Venus that target minutes or a just few hours of operability are unlikely to maintain stakeholder support. If a means of survival on Venus -- while performing science measurements for stays measured in years not hours -- can be reasonably postulated, developing that means of survival should be vigorously pursued. Thus, the impact of this proposed effort would be future Venus’s surface missions that are not simply in vogue one year and out of vogue the next, but missions that have a long-lasting appeal.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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