Ya'll Nibbiars
Phase 1.
Phase 1 involves a robotic exploration via a 31-metre-long (102 ft), 8-metre-tall (26 ft), airship. It would be used to test many of the technologies that would be used in the crewed version, including the dirigible, energy systems, and aerocapture and descent sled.
Phase 2.
Phase 2 is for astronauts to orbit Venus. The individual components would be assembled remotely, and the crew would join the larger assembly when all the preparations are complete. There would be a return module sent to low Venus orbit ahead of the astronauts, with which they would rendezvous in Venusian orbit, before returning to Earth.
Phase 3.
Phase 3 involves astronauts descending into the atmosphere, for 30 Earth days. The airship for this would be 129 metres (423 ft) long and 34 metres (112 ft) tall. The aeroshell would be used for heat dissipation. A parachute would be deployed to further slow the craft, before finally inflating the airship. Once inflated, the crew would live in the airship for a period equivalent to thirty Earth days, before detaching and ascending in the Venus Ascent Vehicle.
The outward journey for this phase would take 110 Earth days, and the return 300. The total mission time would thus be 440 days.
Phase 4.
Phase 4 of the concept is to send humans into the atmosphere of Venus for 1 Earth Year, similar to phase 3 but longer.
Phase 5.
Phase 5 is introducing a permanent human presence, in the Venusian atmosphere, by way of a permanent Space Station type spacecraft.
