Dr. Sara Seager

In addition to that, there's a pressure vessel that is built that would go on the inside.

So that's how far along we are.

There's a lot of plans.

A lot of other smaller things are getting in shape so that we'll be able to launch this first mission to Venus.

Well, I just want you to know Rocket Lab has been an incredible partner and they've done an absolutely fantastic job.

And when we first teamed up a bunch of years ago, we were slated to go on the Electron.

That is Rocket Lab's amazingly reliable small capacity rocket.

But for a variety of reasons, Rocket Lab has put us on the Neutron, their much higher capability rocket.

And the Neutron, you can read all about it in the news.

It is fantastic.

It is getting built right now.

So we're waiting until the Neutron rocket is ready.

And the Venus launch windows happen about every 18 months.

So we and Rocket Lab is aiming to get the next window after Neutron is ready.

I would say so.

Because one of the windows is this summer and then the next window is about 18 months.

Yes, Ira, and how amazing would that be if I bump into you again at an event and I'm like, Ira, here's a little gift, a little tiny sample of liquid clouds from Venus.

Well, you have to understand that scientists like me have to be confident.

Why would I wake up every day really early in the morning and get to work on this if I didn't believe it was possible?

Other scientists do not think there's a possibility of life on Venus.