Venus Express set for launch to the cryptic planet   Artist's impression of the ESA spacecraft Venus Express in orbit around Venus, launch date 26 October 2005. The journey starts at launch     Artist's impression of the Soyuz-Fregat rocket during launch, at fairing jettison. The 'fairing' is the white protective/aerodynamic nose cone. Plenty of ground activities for a successful trip     Artist's impression of Venus Express mounted on the Fregat upper-stage rocket. Reaching for Venus     Artist's impression of the Venus Express orbit insertion on 11 April 2006. In this phase of the mission, the most challenging since launch, the spacecraft's main engine burns for about 50 minutes, to reduce its speed with respect to Venus to allow the the spacecraft to be captured by the planet's gravitation. Release date: 24 October 2005