Heat shield installed on private Venus probe for 2026

NASA engineers have installed a heat shield on the first private spacecraft set to explore Venus, led by Rocket Lab. This shield is designed to withstand temperatures of 4,500°F during entry into Venus' atmosphere. The spacecraft will utilize NASA's Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET). This technology is crucial for protecting the probe from the extreme conditions it will face. The mission is a collaboration between Rocket Lab and researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The spacecraft is scheduled for launch in 2026.