Dreamers and Builders.
A Mission to Venus.
We are NEPHELIS.
AETHER is a crowd-funded aerostat probe to Venus, floating where temperature and pressure are Earth-like (50–55 km) to stream back images and data for 30–90 days.
The Mission: Project AETHER
Project AETHER will send Cloudseeker, a miniprobe, to Venus's atmosphere. It unlocks energy and resources for floating habitats, extending human life, consciousness and AI to another world.
Targeting 50–55 km altitude—Earth-like conditions—Cloudseeker validates habitation models, resource extraction and astrobiology. Launch: 2027.
Be part of humanity's backup plan. Venus ensures life thrives across the solar system.
Venus offers abundant solar power, CO₂ for fuel, nitrogen for breathable air. Join us!
Future VenusExpress concepts with advanced propulsion could cut travel time to 30–45 days (vs. today’s 3–6 months).
Technology: Cloudseeker
- Acid-Resistant Aerostat: Fluoropolymer balloon; floats at 50–55 km.
- Integrated Sensor Suite: imagery + mass spectrometry + aerosol/bio-sensors.
- 3U CubeSat Relay: high-bandwidth data relay in Venus orbit.
- AI-Optimized Navigation: autonomous ops in dynamic atmosphere.
Astrophysics & Trajectory
Transfer & Timing
- Profile: Earth→Venus Hohmann-like transfer (outreach model)
- Time of Flight: ~146 days
- LEO→TVI ΔvDelta-v: A measure of the impulse required to perform a maneuver. The 'change in velocity'.: ~3.5 km/s (purchased)
- Onboard Δv: 150–200 m/s (TCMs/margin)
- Arrival: v∞Hyperbolic excess velocity: the velocity of a spacecraft in excess of the escape velocity of a celestial body. ~2.7 km/s; entry ~10.7 km/s; deploy balloon ~55 km
Trajectory Mini-Planner
Atmosphere Model
Comms/Day Estimator
Rocket Equation
The Tsiolkovsky rocket equation calculates the propellant needed for a given change in velocity (Δv), based on engine efficiency (Isp) and mass.
Envisioning a Future on Venus
Mission Diagrams
Venus Orbit & Entry
Venus Cloud Layers
Why Venus? The Smart Bet
With Earth-like gravity and a temperate, 1-bar pressure layer at 50–55 km altitude, Venus isn't just a potential habitat—it's the most practical and resource-rich destination for off-world colonization in our solar system.
Venus complements Mars. At the right altitude, it offers near‑Earth pressure/temperature and abundant solar energy—balanced against acid clouds and power/radiation trade‑offs.
| Aspect | Venus (Cloud Tops) | Mars (Surface) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Time | ~5 months (current) | 30-45 days (future concept) | ~6-9 months (current) |
| Gravity | 0.904 g (~90% Earth) | 0.38 g (~38% Earth) |
| Habitable Zone Conditions | ~30–70 °C; 0.5–1 bar pressure | ~-60 °C; ~0.006 bar pressure (requires pressure suits/domes) |
| Solar Energy | ~2601 W/m² (1.9x Earth), reduced in clouds | ~590 W/m² (0.43x Earth) |
| Resources | 96.5% CO₂, 3.5% N₂, trace SO₂ | CO₂ atmosphere, polar water ice |
| Key Challenges | Sulfuric acid clouds, material degradation | Cosmic radiation, dust storms, low gravity |
Mission Timeline
Venus Today: Daily Fact
Loading today's fascinating fact about Venus...
Funding
Raised: $0 / Target: $500,000
ETCH YOUR LEGACY ON A PANEL
From a personal message ($100) to a corporate logo ($10k), your support will be physically integrated into the Cloudseeker probe, orbiting Venus for decades to come.
427 of 500 panels left
IMMORTALIZE YOUR DNA ON VENUS
For a $500 contribution, send us a hair or nail sample. We'll seal it in an inert time capsule aboard the probe, making your biological signature part of an eternal cosmic journey.
Vendors & Partners
Launch via SpaceX rideshare program. Testing: Acid chamber at TBD facility (e.g., Glenn Research Center analogs); thermal-vac at commercial labs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a real mission?
Nephelis Industries and Project AETHER are a rral mission, designed to inspire and build a first step to Venus exploration.
Why not Mars?
While Mars gets a lot of attention, Venus's upper atmosphere offers Earth-like pressure and temperature, plus better protection from solar radiation, making it a compelling alternative for floating habitats.