VIPER: A Plasma Wave Detection Instrument onboard Indian Venus Orbiter Spacecraft

TL;DR

This paper introduces VIPER, an instrument onboard the Indian Venus Orbiter designed to detect and analyze plasma waves in Venus's ionosphere, aiming to enhance understanding of its plasma environment.

Contribution

The paper presents the design and capabilities of VIPER, a novel plasma wave detection instrument tailored for Venus's unique ionospheric conditions.

Findings

VIPER can detect a wide range of plasma waves around Venus.

It addresses limitations of previous instruments with limited dynamic range.

Potential to discover new plasma wave phenomena around Venus.

Abstract

Plasma waves are observed in almost all the solar system objects. The planetary ionospheres are capable of sustaining plasma waves which are observed there and play an important role in the ionospheric dynamics. Venus does not possess a global magnetic field unlike Earth. The solar EUV radiation ionizes the neutrals and generates a plasma environment around Venus which can sustain plasma waves. Very few attempts are made to observe all plasma waves that can exist around Venus and that too with instruments having a limited dynamic range such as with Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Venus Express. However, there are some other plasma waves which can exist around Venus but are yet to be observed.