Terraforming of Venus

The terraforming of Venus is the hypothetical planetary engineering procedure that would transform Venus from a planet hostile to life to one that could sustainably host humans and other lifeforms free of protection or mediation.

Necessary adjustments to the existing environment of Venus to support human life would require changes including the reduction of the planet's surface temperature of 737 K (464 °C; 867 °F) and the elimination of most of the planet's dense 9.2 MPa (91 atm) carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide atmosphere via removal or conversion to some other form, alongside the addition of breathable oxygen to the atmosphere. These changes are closely interrelated, as Venus's extreme temperature is due to the high pressure of its dense atmosphere and the greenhouse effect.

Proposals to modify the planet include "veiling" the planet from the sun, thus dropping the temperature low enough to condense or solidify carbon dioxide, which would then need to be removed or stored in some way.

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