NASA’s proposed Mars “helicopter” is ingenuity on steroids

Nearly a year after Ingenuity cracked the code and ended its test mission on Mars, NASA has unveiled a new design concept for the successor to the Mars helicopter and it’s a relatively big boy.

The Mars Chopper, as it’s called, is about the same size as an SUV, and is equipped with six rotors, with each rotor hosting six blades (I’ve already done the math for you, that’s a whopping 36 blades). Space Agency recently open A presentation of the helicopter, which is still in the early stages of design and concept, according to NASA. Chopper project manager Teddy Tzanitos also presented the idea during a press conference at the American Geophysical Union’s annual meeting in Washington on December 11.

Ingenuity was the first helicopter to fly on another planet, paving the way for more capable helicopters to follow on its path. Its low-cost, durable design helps NASA design future concepts for exploring other planets in a completely new way.

NASA also shared an exciting 30-second animation depicting the helicopter flying over the Martian terrain during a potential future mission. The Mars Chopper can transport science payloads weighing up to 11 pounds (5 kg) distances of up to 1.9 miles (3 km) per sol, or sol. “Scientists can use Chopper to study large areas of terrain in detail and quickly — including areas where rovers cannot travel safely,” NASA explained.

Dexterity walked so Chopper could run. The OG Martian helicopter arrived at the Red Planet in February 2021, tucked inside the belly of the Perseverance rover. Shortly thereafter, the 19-inch (48 cm)-long, 4-pound (1.8 kg) helicopter became the first powered aircraft. Lift From the surface of another planet. Although only five test flights were originally intended, Ingenuity continued to operate, making 72 flights, flying 14 times farther than planned for a total flight time of two hours.

Things fell apart for Ingenuity earlier this year after The helicopter had its blades shattered During its 72nd landing, its mission officially ended in January. NASA recently It was concluded that navigation errors were on board It caused “high horizontal velocities upon landing.”

Ingenuity has achieved its goal of providing NASA with information that will help it develop similar aircraft to explore Mars and other planets from above. During its test mission, Ingenuity also helped the Perseverance rover explore the Red Planet, flying over the Martian robot and guiding its way through the dusty Martian terrain. Even after it crashed, Ingenuity still provided weather and avionics data to Perseverance on a weekly basis.

The future Mars Chopper has some big shoes to fill, and Ingenuity has left behind a legendary legacy on the Red Planet.