Dynamical properties of the Venus mesosphere from the radio-occultation experiment VeRa onboard Venus Express

► Venus mesosphere was studied by the radio-occultation experiment VeRa/Venus Express. ► Zonal winds were derived by VeRa pressure profiles using the cyclostrophic balance. ► The retrieved zonal wind shows a max speed of 140 ± 15 m/s at ∼70 km altitude. ► Stability of the atmosphere with respect to convection and turbulence was analysed. ► The atmosphere is adiabatic between 45 and 60 km altitude, it is highly stable at cloud top.