An engineering model of NASA's DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) descent probe passed a thermal test that ran from Aug. 28 to Sept. 10, showing it can survive the extreme temperatures of Venus, according to NASA. The agency's image article, published Oct. 2, 2026, said the yoga ball-sized vessel was placed in a ceramic-lined chamber with heat-scorched walls, where the temperature was raised to 869 F (465 C) over about an hour.

NASA said the heating matched the pace at which the probe will warm up during its descent to the surface of Venus. The engineering development unit was photographed before the evaluation. The image was credited to NASA/Mike Guinto.

DAVINCI is intended to study the origin, evolution, and present state of Venus in unprecedented detail, helping determine whether the planet was once wet and habitable, like Earth.