NASA’s DAVINCI Probe Can Stand the Heat

NASA photographed the engineering development unit for its DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) probe before a major thermal evaluation. The team placed the yoga ball-sized vessel in a ceramic-lined chamber with heat-scorched walls and raised the temperature to 869 F (465 C) over about an hour, matching the heating pace the probe will face during descent to Venus's surface.

DAVINCI is designed to study the origin, evolution, and present state of Venus in unprecedented detail, helping determine whether the planet was once wet and habitable like Earth.