Geology of solar terrestrial planets Geology of solar terrestrial planets The geology of solar terrestrial planets mainly deals with the geological aspects of the four terrestrial planets of the Solar System – Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars – and one terrestrial dwarf planet: Ceres. Earth is the only terrestrial planet known to have an active hydrosphere. Terrestrial planets are substantially different from the giant planets, which might not have solid surfaces and are composed mostly of some combination of hydrogen, helium, and water existing in various physical states. Terrestrial planets have a compact, rocky surfaces, and Venus, Earth, and Mars each also have an atmosphere.
Venus Atmospheric Maneuverable Platform of a lenticular shape which would significantly simplify packing, deployment sequence and structural mass, but it would not cruise so efficiently. The vehicle concept was also presented in May 2017 as a proof-of-concept for exploration of other planets and moons of the Solar System with an atmosphere. The 2013 preliminary concept envisions a suite of instruments NASA calls the 'Venus Flagship Design Reference Mission' for a balloon. Its mass is estimated at 20 kg and would require 50 W of electrical power to operate. The notional intuments consist on: There are ongoing discussions about possible NASA participation in Russia's Venera-D