A new space chamber that can withstand the same toxic conditions on Venus has been constructed by Nasa, in a new series of climate change experiments.

In the first of its kind, the American space agency has built the 12-tonne “Extreme Environment Test Chamber” to simulate the burning temperatures and intense pressure experience on the planet’s surface.

Scientists hope the new state-of-the-art chemical chamber, which includes two “Sapphire glass windows”, will recreate the toxic, probe-destroying atmosphere of Earth’s closest neighbouring planet.

In turn, they hope it will lead to better understanding of climate change on Earth based on experiments of a planet baked of its water and suffocated by greenhouse gases and sulphuric clouds.

Researchers also hope to ultimately be able to design a rover capable of lasting exponentially longer than previous surface missions.

The chamber, based at Nasa’s Glenn Research Centre, in Cleveland, Ohio can withstand temperatures up to 1000F (537C) and atmospheric pressure 92 times higher than that on Earth. » Read more: Nasa ‘climate change’ test chamber to simulate Venus’ toxic conditions