NASA’s Mars helicopter promises unprecedented views of the red planet

When NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter It flew to Mars in April 2021, a historic moment in space exploration.

This small, solar-powered rotorcraft became the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet.

Now, after Ingenuity’s remarkable success, NASA is eyeing an even more ambitious weather probe for the red planet.

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New generation Mars helicopter prototype (NASA)

A legacy of invention

Ingenuity’s journey to Mars has far exceeded expectations. Originally intended for just five test flights in 30 days, it eventually completed an astonishing 72 flights in about three years. The helicopter served as an aerial scout for the Perseverance rover, helping scientists and engineers gather valuable information about the Martian terrain and atmosphere.

Throughout his missionIngenuity pushed the boundaries of extraterrestrial flight, reaching a maximum altitude of 78.7 feet, achieving a speed of 22.4 mph, and completing a single longest flight at an altitude of 2,310 feet.

New generation Mars helicopter prototype (NASA)

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NASA’s new generation Mars helicopter

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is working on a concept for a next-generation Mars helicopter that could revolutionize exploration of the red planet. Still in the early stages of development, this new aircraft promises to be a significant improvement from Ingenuity.

The proposed helicopter has six rotors in a hexagonal configuration and is significantly larger, potentially “the size of an SUV”. It will be capable of carrying up to 11 pounds of scientific payload and traveling 1.9 miles per Martian day.

The increased size and payload capacity will allow this new helicopter to conduct more extensive scientific research and explore areas inaccessible to ground rovers. This advanced design can allow scientists to study a wide range of fields Martian territory detailed and quick, including where rovers cannot travel safely.

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New generation Mars helicopter prototype (NASA)

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Troubleshooting

Before this new helicopter can fly on Mars, NASA must solve the problems that Ingenuity is facing. The crash landing of a small helicopter in early 2024 provided valuable lessons for future designs. One of the main challenges was navigating the featureless terrain.

Ingenuity’s vision-based navigation system struggled with Jezero Crater’s sandy, undulating surface. NASA engineer Håvard Grip explained: “The lack of surface texture gave the navigation system very little information to work with.”

To overcome this, the next-generation helicopter will likely have more advanced navigation systems that can operate in different Martian landscapes.

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New generation Mars helicopter prototype (NASA)

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Technological advances

NASA is making significant technological advances in preparation for future Mars helicopters. Engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have developed new carbon fiber rotor blades that are 4 inches longer than those used on Ingenuity.

These next-generation blades have been rigorously tested to reach speeds of up to 3,500 rpm, which is 750 rpm faster than Ingenuity’s maximum speed. The new design promises improved efficiency and performance in Mars’ thin atmosphere, potentially allowing larger and more capable helicopters for future missions. These advances are an important step forward in NASA’s ongoing efforts to explore the red planet from the air.

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New generation Mars helicopter prototype (NASA)

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As we look to the future of Mars exploration, these vehicles could play an important role in paving the way for human missions. They offer the opportunity to explore landing sites, study the Martian environment in unprecedented detail, and perhaps help future astronauts on the surface. The development of more advanced Mars helicopters also demonstrates the rapid progress in space technology. What was once a bold experiment with Ingenuity is now a solid tool for planetary exploration.

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