The $260 million Venus Express is intended to study the planet for at least two Venus days, one for every 243 of Earth's.

Venus Express is used also to observe signs of life on Earth from Venus orbit.

In 2006-07 Venus Express clearly detected whistler mode waves, the signatures of lightning.

One of the first results from Venus Express is the discovery that a huge double atmospheric vortex exists at the south pole of the planet.

By the 1920s, Venus had its own schools (including a small college), several businesses, a weekly newspaper (Venus Express), and a population which exceeded 800.

One such event was observed by Venus Express between 9 and 13 January 2007, when the south polar region became brighter by 30%.

However in 2006-2007 Venus Express was reported to detect whistler mode waves, which were attributed to lightning.

In 2009 a prominent bright spot in the atmosphere was noted by an amateur astronomer and photographed by Venus Express.

Venus Express successfully assumed a polar orbit on April 11, 2006 and has been continuously sending back science data.

Results from Venus Express include the detection of hydroxyl in the atmosphere.