Venus Atmosphere and Cloud Particle Sample Return for Astrobiology

Provide subject-matter expertise on the composition and evolution of the atmosphere of Venus and the composition and structure of the clouds of Venus, especially as they relate to potential habitability, for a study of a Venus sample return mission focused on the atmosphere. The goal is to return one kg each of the gas component and the cloud particles. The mission seeks to bring back the sample for Earth-laboratory-based study to assess the habitability of the cloud-region of the atmosphere and search for signs of life or even life itself in a much more robust way than possible in situ. Earth laboratories have a wider variety of equipment that may reach more sensitive levels of detection as compared to in-situ space-based instruments.