[ambrose]

As for Venus, the Soviets were landing probes there back in the 1970s, which managed to return data and pictures for nearly an hour before going offline. I don't think it is too far fetched that we could build more powerful heat shields so that a surface visit could last for a much longer period of time.

Another possibility which could allow colonization of Venus would be some sort of method to breakup the cloud cover of Venus, which is responsible for the 800 degree greenhouse effect. Obviously, the technology to do this isn't with us yet, but I like to think about such possibilities.

[RadioAstronomer]

As for Venus, the Soviets were landing probes there back in the 1970s, which managed to return data and pictures for nearly an hour before going offline. I don't think it is too far fetched that we could build more powerful heat shields so that a surface visit could last for a much longer period of time.

Sigh! Please go back and re-read my post.

"(with the exception of Venus)"

[DeepDish]

I heard of a theory that bacteria that utilize co2 could be seeded in the atmosphere of Venus. It seems to to fall apart when I consider what would happen when the bacteria end up fried in the lower atmosphere thereby returning their bodies to the atmosphere.