Venus

Venus (Sol II)
Venus is the second planet from Sol, in the Sol system. It is often referred to as Earth's "sister planet", due to their almost uncanny similarities concerning gravity and density. However, surface conditions are unbearably hostile, and landings should not be attempted under any circumstances.

Venus has the densest atmosphere of the inner planets, which consists of 96% carbon dioxide. It is the hottest planet in the solar system, with a mean surface temperature of 462 degrees Celsius, or 863 degrees Fahrenheit. Its surface is shielded from view by a planet-wide cloud of sulfuric acid. The clouds were likely created by a runaway greenhouse effect, which has trapped all the heat inside the atmosphere of Venus, with almost none leaking out into space. A large-scale greenhouse effect would also vaporize any liquid oceans that were on Venus at any point.

The surface is rocky, with two large continents dominating the hemispheres. Volcanism periodically resurfaces the rocks.

Since it is the closest planet to Earth, Venus, despite its difficulties, has been a target for colonization. While no permanent settlements have been established yet, Tell Aerospace has been involved in talks with the ISCO about possibly building so-called "balloon cities", designed to float in the upper atmosphere. This height, about 34 miles from the surface, has a much more manageable temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, or 81 Fahrenheit.