NASA Mars helicopter scout drone - image

[Jon]

NASA Mars helicopter scout drone. Planned for use on NASA's Mars 2020 mission. Artist rendering:

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg




More: https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22460

Previously:

English/metric measurement error in the Mars Climate Orbiter
NASA Technical Publication: Can you weld on Mars?
NASA technology to fold airplane wings in flight - video
NASA fastener design manual
NASA Tire Assault Vehicle (TAV), made from a German World War II tank model

[Frank S]

This is going to be interesting considering how thin the Martian atmosphere is. I wonder what they are planning to use as a power source/ Probably electric but if so then it is going to have very limited life use unless they have figured out how it will be recharged. Might be OK if used in conjunction with manned missions so it can be plugged in when the battery is drained other wise possibly the top surface of the blades could be solar cells which may add some range to the flight time and allow it to recharge while grounded. Otherwise does an ultra lightweight nuclear power pack exist yet?

[Wildwilly]

I’m calling BS on this because blades need atmosphere!

[Frank S]

I’m calling BS on this because blades need atmosphere!

Well there is an atmosphere on Mars it is just quite thin or on the surface about equal to being at 80 to 90,000 feet above sea level here on earth.
Disregarding any of the military aircraft the only other winged aircraft to ever reach anywhere close to that height was the Airbus Perlan a glider that reached 76,124 ft
So yes it is theoretically possible for a powered rotary winged aircraft to fly on Mars providing the swept area, and the cord of the rotors have sufficient surface area. But to do this remotely without human support on the surface is going to be highly improbable but I have already explained how that could be accomplished in theory of course.