Venus Needs Our Help: Support NASA's VERITAS Mission

Hello AstroTours.org community!

We are reaching out to you today with an urgent call to action. Venus, our neighboring planet, holds numerous secrets that can help us understand not only its own evolution, but also the future of our home planet, Earth (learn more about Venus and how to view it tonight in our other blog post here: https://www.astrotours.org/post/the-dance-of-venus-a-stargazer-s-guide). NASA's Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy (VERITAS) mission is a groundbreaking initiative set to unravel these mysteries. Unfortunately, the future of the VERITAS mission is under threat.

Take 2 minuets to visit the planetary society's action page using this link: https://secure.planetary.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=/actioncenter#/35 and voice your support for this crucial mission to your representatives

Artist's concept of the Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy (Veritas) spacecraft.

Initiated in 2021, the VERITAS mission was designed to be the first Venus orbiter led by the U.S. since 1989. Despite being on track and on budget, the mission has been subject to budget cuts in NASA's Fiscal Year 2024 Presidential Budget Request (PBR). This has led to an indefinite postponement of the launch, a decision influenced by cost overruns and workforce issues in unrelated NASA programs.

The importance of the VERITAS mission cannot be overstated. It promises to generate detailed maps of Venus's surface, analyze its geology, and study its volcanic and tectonic activities. This data can significantly enhance our understanding of Venus and contribute to our knowledge about the potential future of Earth's habitability.

The National Academies of Sciences strongly endorses the VERITAS mission. Yet, the indefinite delay to the launch puts all these potential discoveries at risk.

Now, more than ever, Venus needs our help.

The Planetary Society has set up a convenient and easy-to-use platform for U.S. residents to reach out to their representatives, urging them to support the VERITAS mission. We encourage each of you to visit this link: https://secure.planetary.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=/actioncenter#/35 and voice your support for this crucial mission. By expressing your support for a 2029 launch date in NASA's forthcoming authorization bill and the 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) committee report language, you can help secure the future of the VERITAS mission.

We have an opportunity to make a real difference and contribute to the advancement of our understanding of the universe. Your action can help ensure that the VERITAS mission gets back on track, and the secrets of Venus are unveiled.

Thank you for standing with us in support of space exploration and science. Together, we can ensure that the stars - and our neighboring planets - continue to inspire and enlighten us for generations to come.

Sincerely,

The AstroTours.org Team

AstroTours.org now has over 1000 5 star reviews!

AstroTours.org has built a stellar reputation in the tour industry, and it's not hard to see why. The company has amassed of over 1000 five-star reviews in the last four years alone, which is a remarkable achievement. To put this in perspective, this is just about as many stars as in the wild duck star cluster M11.

The Wild Duck star cluster M11 (AstroTours.org has more stars in their reviews than pictured here)

We at AstroTours.org are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review, and we are looking forward to many more to come. Each review is a valuable source of feedback that helps the company to continually improve and refine their services.

One reviewer commented, "was especially patient with my 15 year old son who had A LOT of questions related to the content of the tour and otherwise." This demonstrates that AstroTours.org goes above and beyond to ensure that their clients are fully engaged and satisfied with the experience.

Another reviewer stated, "I can't recommend this experience highly enough!" This sentiment is echoed by many others who have had the pleasure of experiencing AstroTours.org's tours. The company has clearly left a lasting impression on many of their customers.

A reviewer also said, "Amazing education experience! If you like astronomy or astrology, you will love this tour." This highlights AstroTours.org's commitment to providing educational experiences that are both informative and enjoyable.

Finally, another reviewer described the company as having a "Fabulously friendly and well-informed host!" This demonstrates that the team at AstroTours.org is not only knowledgeable but also approachable and friendly, making for a truly enjoyable experience.

In conclusion, AstroTours.org's impressive number of five-star reviews from the last four years is a testament to our exceptional service, personalized experiences, and knowledgeable team. The company is grateful to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review and is looking forward to many more to come. If you're a space enthusiast looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, AstroTours.org is definitely worth considering.

New Gift Card Portal!

We are thrilled to announce that AstroTours.org is now offering an exciting new way to give the universe as a gift with our automated gift card purchasing portal!

Our tours of the cosmos, led by professional astronomers equipped with large telescopes, offer an unforgettable experience that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a unique birthday gift or a romantic night under the stars, our tours provide a magical and educational journey through the universe.

With our new automated gift card purchasing portal, giving the gift of an Astro Tour has never been easier. Simply visit our website at https://www.AstroTours.org/giftcards, select the amount you would like to purchase, and complete your transaction. The you will then receive an email with a certificate and unique code that can be emailed/printed out, given, then redeemed when booking a tour on our website.

Not only does this new portal make it easy to give the universe as a gift, but it also allows for greater flexibility in scheduling. The recipient can choose the date and time that works best for them, making it a truly personalized experience.

We believe that there's no better gift than to explore the wonders of the universe, and our automated gift card purchasing portal makes that possible. So why not give the gift of an Astro Tour and create a memory that will last a lifetime? Visit https://www.AstroTours.org/gift today to get started!