“Hell On Earth” Is Actually Right Here In Cleveland

As most of you would contend to, Cleveland is nothing short of Heaven on Earth. So when we say that "Hell on Earth" is actually right here in Cleveland, we're strictly talking temperature.

Located at the NASA Research Center, there's a 14-ton steel chamber that successfully mimics the brutal weather conditions of Venus' surface. This microcosm, known as the Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER), has been created to help scientists understand more about the history of the planet and further exploration there. Here's more on the advancement of this fascinating NASA project:

Inside NASA's Glenn Research Center, something is cooking - boiling, rather - that might help us understand more about Venus.

Once something of a friendly twin of Planet Earth, Venus now has surface temperatures and conditions so volatile that it can dismantle nearly any craft that approaches it.

Here’s what they know so far about what to expect on the surface of this planet: stifling surface temperatures up to 860 degrees, crushing air pressure, and gelatin-like air that includes heavy doses of sulfuric acid.

Therefore, scientists at NASA have been meticulously working on a project that could prepare future investigations to Venus.

This contraption, though small in size, weighs nearly 14 tons and is a near replica of Venus' surface.

Inside GEER, lovingly referred to as “Hell on Earth,” scientists have been able to create an atmosphere of 1000 degrees F, and pressure up to 100 times of the Earth’s.

The most recent probe mission to Venus lasted there only 2 hours. Scientists hope that after rigorous testing at GEER, a future spacecraft would be able to spend months or even years, rather than being destroyed almost immediately.

NASA is currently working on the proposal of DAVINCI, a probe that would arrive in 2023 and take the highest resolution pictures of the planet yet. If this becomes funded, GEER will be updated even further to match standards for this fascinating mission.

What do you think about this miniature version of Hell on Earth? Be sure to share your thoughts with us!