Planetary scientist to address US Congress on space

Planetary scientist and University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Adjunct Professor Stephen Kane will present to US Congress in Washington DC to advocate for NASA’s upcoming Venus missions.

Professor Kane – who is based at the University of California – will meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday 15 October to emphasise the critical importance of studying Venus.

NASA’s Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble Gases, Chemistry, and Imaging (DAVINCI) mission aims to investigate the atmosphere and surface on Venus to better understand the planet’s past and its potential habitability.

Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy (VERITAS) will map the surface of Venus in high detail, seeking to uncover its geological history.

Professor Kane said the missions were essential to planetary science.

“It’s an honour to represent NASA’s Venus mission teams and speak to lawmakers about why Venus is such a fascinating and crucial planet to study,” he said.

“While Mars and the Moon tend to dominate space exploration discussions, Venus holds vital clues to understanding planetary evolution, climate, and habitability. I look forward to making the case for why these missions deserve strong support.”

Professor Kane’s participation comes at a pivotal moment as space research continues to draw bipartisan support in the US.

The discussions on Capitol Hill will highlight the broader significance of planetary science and its role in technological innovation and global scientific leadership.

Find out more about the UniSQ Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences.