NASA Unveils New Mars Helicopter Design, Building on Ingenuity’s Success

Ingenuity became the first aircraft to fly on another world in the first half of 2021, exploring Mars terrain from above. This achievement proved that powered air flight is an efficient way to navigate alien worlds.

Building on this success, NASA has now unveiled a computer rendering of its next design: the Mars Chopper.

Ingenuity, a small helicopter—or more accurately, a drone—was carried to Mars aboard the Perseverance rover in 2020. It was originally designed as a technology demonstration to prove that powered flight could be possible in Mars’ thin atmosphere.

On April 19, 2021, Ingenuity made its first flight, hovering just 10 feet above the surface before safely landing. Since then, it has completed 60 flights, helping to survey and scout areas of interest for further study.

Challenges of Operating a Drone in Mars’ Low-Density Atmosphere

Operating a drone in Mars’ atmosphere is challenging, primarily due to its low density. The Martian atmosphere is less than 1% as dense as Earth’s, meaning the blades of aerial vehicles need to work much harder to generate lift compared to their Earth-bound counterparts.

Additionally, fine dust often lifts from the Martian surface and could damage the delicate components of flying craft. Therefore, these vehicles must not only be designed for flight in such a thin atmosphere but also be able to protect themselves from local hazards.

Building on Ingenuity’s success, NASA has revealed a rendering of its next-generation aerial vehicle for Mars, the Mars Chopper. While Ingenuity was a proof of concept, the new design will have a larger payload capacity to carry scientific instruments such as imaging and analysis tools. This will enable the Chopper to perform tasks like scouting, supporting future exploration, and conducting terrain mapping. Ultimately, it could even assist in human exploration on Mars.

New Mars Chopper Design

The released image shows a drone-like vehicle roughly the size of an SUV, with six rotors. Each rotor features six blades, which are smaller than Ingenuity’s but, together, provide even more lift.

The Mars Chopper’s current design boasts a payload capacity of 5 kilograms, with a range of up to 3 kilometers. This design is a collaborative effort between NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the Ames Research Center.

This new model could significantly enhance not only Mars exploration but also the exploration of any alien worlds with a solid surface and an atmosphere that supports flight. Ingenuity paved the way by proving the technology, and with the Mars Chopper now in development, aerial reconnaissance on these distant worlds will greatly enhance the value of ground-based exploration. Moreover, remote aerial exploration will provide invaluable support for human exploration, especially in areas where rovers cannot reach.

Read Original Article: Science Alert

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