When NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter flew on Mars in April 2021, it marked a historic moment in space exploration.
This small, solar-powered helicopter became the first aircraft to make powered, controlled flight on another planet.
Now, after the remarkable success of Ingenuity, NASA is setting its sights on an even more ambitious aerial explorer for the red planet.
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Prototype of a next-generation Mars helicopter (NASA)
The legacy of ingenuity
Ingenuity’s journey on Mars far exceeded expectations. Originally designed for just five test flights over 30 days, it eventually completed a whopping 72 flights in almost three years. The helicopter served as an aerial scout for the Perseverance rover, helping scientists and engineers gather valuable data about Mars’ terrain and atmosphere.
Throughout his missionIngenuity pushed the boundaries of extraterrestrial flight, reaching a maximum height of 80 feet (24.7 meters), reaching a top speed of 22 mph (36.4 km/h) and completing one longest flight of 2,300 feet (710 meters).
Prototype of a next-generation Mars helicopter (NASA)
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NASA’s next-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 upgrade from Ingenuity.
The proposed helicopter has six rotors in a hexagonal configuration and is significantly larger, possibly “the size of an SUV.” It could carry a science payload of up to 11 pounds and cover a range of up to 3 miles per Martian day.
The increased size and payload would allow this new helicopter to conduct more extensive scientific research and explore areas inaccessible to ground raiders. This advanced design could allow scientists to study large parts of nature Mars terrain detailed and fast, including places where robbers cannot travel safely.
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Prototype of a next-generation Mars helicopter (NASA)
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Overcoming challenges
Before this new helicopter can fly on Mars, NASA must address the challenges Ingenuity faces. The emergency landing of the smaller helicopter in early 2024 provided valuable lessons for future designs. A major problem was navigation on featureless terrain.
Ingenuity’s vision-based navigation system struggled with the sandy, undulating surface of Jezero crater. NASA engineer HÃ¥vard Grip explained: “A lack of surface texture left the navigation system with too little information to work with.”
To overcome this, the next-generation helicopter will likely have more advanced navigation systems that can operate in a variety of Martian landscapes.
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Prototype of a next-generation Mars helicopter (NASA)
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Technological progress
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 of the Ingenuity.
These next-generation blades have been rigorously tested and have reached 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, allowing for larger and more capable helicopters for future missions. This progress represents a critical step forward in NASA’s ongoing efforts to explore the Red Planet from the air.
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Prototype of a next-generation Mars helicopter (NASA)
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As we look to the future of Mars exploration, these aerial vehicles could play a crucial 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 even help future astronauts reach the surface. The development of more advanced Mars helicopters also demonstrates the rapid progress in space technology. What was once a daring experiment with Ingenuity is now evolving into a robust tool for planetary exploration.
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