OceanGate co-founder claims he can ‘safely’ put humans on Venus

In a surprising revelation, Guillermo Söhnlein, the co-founder of OceanGate, the company behind the ill-fated Titan submersible, has asserted that sending humans to Venus is not only possible but can be done “safely,” according to a report by the Independent.*

Despite the planet’s notoriously inhospitable environment, characterized by extreme heat and toxic clouds, Söhnlein believes that humanity can overcome these challenges through the use of advanced breathing apparatus and acid-resistant materials. In a blog post from April, he outlined his vision for human adaptation on Venus.

While the scientific community generally regards human habitation on Venus as near-impossible, the 58-year-old Argentinian-born entrepreneur suggests an innovative approach. He proposes establishing a human outpost 50 kilometers above Venus’ surface, where the conditions are significantly more Earth-like.

Söhnlein’s daring proposal could potentially redefine the scope of human colonization beyond Earth, sparking renewed interest in Venus as a viable destination. In his blog, Söhnlein emphasized the strategic advantages of Venus over Mars, stating, “We don’t have to worry about conducting successful landings on the planet’s surface, which is one of the biggest challenges awaiting us on Mars. If anything, one could argue that sending humans to Venus BEFORE sending them to Mars might be a better way to safely develop the capabilities to create a Martian community.”

Currently, Söhnlein is actively seeking to rally scientists, explorers, and private investors to support his ambitious Venus mission. He told Business Insider, “I think it is less aspirational than putting a million people on the Martian surface by 2050.”