NASA has revealed a Mars helicopter concept that could improve exploration of the Red Planet. This prototype is known as the Mars Chopper , a preliminary design that seeks to surpass the capabilities of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter , used successfully during the Perseverance rover mission since 2021.
Mars Chopper, NASA’s new helicopter concept
The Mars Chopper would be about the size of an all-terrain vehicle and would be equipped with six rotors, each with six blades. This advanced configuration would allow it to carry scientific payloads of up to 5 kilograms over 3 kilometers per day in Martian conditions.
This new helicopter could explore inaccessible areas quickly and accurately. Some scientists and engineers are confident in its ability to survey large swaths of land and gather information for future missions.
The Mars design is the result of a collaboration between NASA ‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL ), Ames Research Center , and AeroVironment. These institutions continue to develop innovative technologies to expand exploration capabilities on other planets.
A presentation of the concept of air transportation for missions to Mars. Source: JPLraw
That said, the transportation concept is still in the early stages, but its potential is clear: a larger, more robust helicopter could open up new possibilities for research and preparation for future manned missions to Mars.
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Source and photos: JPL NASA
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