EXHIBIT 5.1

                          OPINION OF HELLER EHRMAN LLP

                                                                 April 18, 2006

Convera Corporation
1921 Gallows Road, Suite 200
Vienna, VA 22182

         Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Convera Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 18, 2006 for the purpose of registering for resale under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, 5,103,333 shares of its Common Stock, $.01 par value
(the "Shares") on behalf of certain stockholders.

     In connection with this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all
records, documents and instruments submitted to us as originals, the genuineness
of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons and the conformity to
the originals of all records, documents and instruments submitted to us as
copies. We have based our opinion upon our review of the following records,
documents and instruments:

          (a)  The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, as
               of the date hereof;

          (b)  The Bylaws of the Company, as amended, as of the date hereof;

          (c)  Records of proceedings and actions of the Board of Directors of
               the Company relating to the issuance of the Shares; and

          (d)  The Registration Statement

     This opinion is limited to the federal law of the United States of America
and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We disclaim any
opinion as to any other statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, order or other
promulgation of any other jurisdiction or any regional or local governmental
body.

     Based upon the foregoing and our examination of such questions of law as we
have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion, it is our
opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are
fully paid and nonassessable.

     This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the Registration
Statement and is solely for your benefit. This opinion may not be relied upon by
you for any other purpose, or relied upon by any other person, firm, corporation
or other entity for any purpose, without our prior written consent. We disclaim
any obligation to advise you of any change of law that occurs, or any facts
which we become aware after the date of this opinion.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.


                                                    Very truly yours,

                                                    /s/ Heller Ehrman LLP
                                                    HELLER EHRMAN LLP