Bioinspired flier designed to explore Venus

Cover page of the book, "Out of This World, Bioinspired Venus Flier" with NASA Inventor Javid Bayandor.

Javid Bayandor’s invention was selected by NASA to be featured in the “Out of This World” book series.

NASA-funded project now the subject of a new kid’s book

By Sarah D'Iorio

Published November 18, 2025

Exploring Venus could provide better understanding of the solar system and planetary evolution, climate change and the potential of life beyond Earth. But the planet’s scorching hot surface and crushing atmospheric pressure doesn’t exactly make it an easy task.

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“By taking our cues from nature, specifically sea rays, we’re looking to maximize flight efficiency in the dense atmosphere of Venus."
Javid Bayandor, Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Javid Bayandor.

Javid Bayandor

One research team at the University at Buffalo believes the key to success can be found in the efficient motion of a stingray.

Their project, “Bioinspired Ray for Extreme Environments and Zonal Exploration,” was selected for funding in 2019 by the highly competitive NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program. Drawing inspiration from a manta ray, the team designed a flying probe with wings that flap like a stingray’s pectoral fins, enabling it to seamlessly ride the fierce winds above Venus’s treacherous surface.

“By taking our cues from nature, specifically sea rays, we’re looking to maximize flight efficiency in the dense atmosphere of Venus,” said Javid Bayandor, lead investigator on the project and the director of the CRashworthiness for Aerospace Structures and Hybrids (CRASH) Lab in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. 

The CRASH Lab team has had the opportunity to present its work to several NASA colleagues both at UB and at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where they met with the team behind the DAVINCI mission that is scheduled to fly to Venus in 2030.  

NASA also recently selected Bayandor’s invention to be featured in the “Out of This World” book series, which introduces middle school kids to pioneering space research projects and the NASA scientists and engineers behind them.

The book, “Bioinspired Venus Flier,” is narrated by Bayandor as he takes readers through the challenges and breakthroughs of developing the stingray-inspired spacecraft. “Our team was thrilled that our invention was selected for the series, alongside other visionary space exploration projects,” said Bayandor. “The fact that the book series is designed to inspire the new generation to pursue STEM fields is a great reward in itself.”