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

When NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter took flight on Mars in April 2021, it marked 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 setting its sights on an even more ambitious aerial explorer for the red planet.

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Ingenuity’s legacy

Ingenuity’s journey on Mars far exceeded expectations. Originally designed for just five test flights over 30 days, it ultimately completed an astounding 72 flights in nearly 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 its mission, Ingenuity pushed the boundaries of extraterrestrial flight, reaching a maximum altitude of 78.7 feet, achieving a top speed of 22.4 mph and completing a single longest flight that covered 2,310 feet.

Next-generation Mars helicopter prototype (NASA)

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NASA’s next-gen 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. This new aircraft, still in the early stages of development, promises to be a significant upgrade from Ingenuity. 

The proposed helicopter features six rotors in a hexagonal configuration and is significantly larger, potentially “the size of an SUV.” It would have the ability to carry science payloads of up to 11 pounds and cover a range of up to 1.9 miles per Martian day. 

The increased size and payload capacity would allow this new helicopter to conduct more extensive scientific investigations and explore areas inaccessible to ground-based rovers. This advanced design could enable scientists to study large swaths of Martian terrain in detail and quickly, including places where rovers cannot safely travel.

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Next-generation Mars helicopter prototype  (NASA)

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Overcoming challenges

Before this new helicopter can take flight on Mars, NASA must address the challenges faced by Ingenuity. The smaller helicopter’s crash landing in early 2024 provided valuable lessons for future…