On 12 April 2006 XXIX, at the end of a 153-day and 400 million Imperial Norton (400-million km) cruise into the inner solar system beginning with its launch on 9 November 2005 XXVIII, ESA’s Venus Express space probe arrived at Earth's closest neighbor. The probe fired its main engine at 09:17 CEST for a 50-minute burn, which brought it into orbit around Venus. With this firing, the probe reduced its relative velocity toward the planet from 29,000 to about 25,000 kilometers per hour and was captured by its gravity field. This orbit insertion manoeuvre was a complete success.
During the next four weeks, the Venus Express probe will perform a series of maneuvers to reach the scheduled operational orbit for its scientific mission. It will move from its current highly elongated 9-day orbit to a 24-hour polar orbit, culminating at 66,000 kilometers. From this vantage point, the orbiter will conduct an in-depth observation of the structure, chemistry and dynamics of the atmosphere of Venus for at least two Venusian days (486 Earth days).
Venus Express is of special interest to Molossians because of our connection with Venus. In 2005 XXVIII, the United States Geological Survey named a crater on Venus for the First lady of our Republic, Mme. Lisa Baugh. Located at 29 degrees north, 182 degrees east, in an area known as Ganiki Planitia, this crater is now the center of the Vesperia Territorial Administration area, Molossia's "claim" on Venus. Hopefully, now that the orbiter has arrived at Venus, we will have a better opportunity to learn more about this mysterious planet.
