NASA proposes CANVAS rover concept for long-duration Venus surface missions

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has proposed a new rover concept called CANVAS (Combinatory Architecture offering Neomobility, on-Venus Adaptability, and Survivability) that could survive on the surface of Venus for several Earth years, a dramatic improvement over current missions that last only minutes or hours. The concept was developed by David Bugby and is part of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program.

The harsh Venusian environment—with extreme temperatures, pressures, and corrosive conditions—has limited all surface missions to very short durations. The CANVAS rover aims to overcome these limitations through three key innovations: a closed Brayton cycle radioisotope power system that uses the rover’s spherical exterior as a radiator, internal electronics and science instruments capable of operating at ultra-high temperatures and pressures, and a mobility system with no externally exposed mechanisms. This design could enable the rover to rove to multiple locations and perform science for years instead of hours.

The impact of such a long-lived mission would be significant for sustaining stakeholder interest. According to the proposal, missions that last only minutes or hours have limited appeal to science, political, and public stakeholders. A rover that can operate for years would have long-lasting appeal and could maintain support for Venus exploration. The proposed mission would be a greatly expanded version of the DaVinci probe, which is designed for only 18 minutes of surface operations. The CANVAS rover would carry ultra-high temperature/pressure capable instruments, including environmental monitors, a seismometer, and cameras, and would communicate via an orbiting relay satellite.

The development approach includes designing and selecting components for the power system, ultra-high T/P electronics, and the mobility subsystem. The mobility system uses a flywheel and an aeolipile—driven by an internal compressor that ejects compressed Venus atmosphere—to rotate and move the spherical rover. The goal is to have a working prototype by the end of Phase III. The concept was selected for NIAC study in 2026, as noted in the July 21, 2026 update.