The NASA Mars Helicopter is a small automatic rotorcraft that is scheduled to be launched in July 2020 along with the 'Mars 2020 Rover' to demonstrate its survivability and potential on Mars.
Due to launch in July 2020, the Mars helicopter will mainly serve as a technical demonstration. However, if successful, this will mean that the United States will be the first country to operate an aircraft on an extraterrestrial basis. The largest aircraft tested on Mars is facing The challenge is that Mars' atmospheric density is only 1% of the Earth. Therefore, the challenge of flying here is even higher.
Mimi Aung, Project Manager of the Marathon Helicopter Project of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) stated in the statement: 'In order to allow the Mars drone to fly at low atmospheric density, we must scrutinize everything and keep it as light and strong as possible. , While configuring powerful power.
NASA said that the Mars helicopter weighs only 1.8 kilograms and its body is equal to the size of a baseball. Two counter-rotating blades will help the helicopter to pass through the rest of Mars' atmosphere, at a speed of about 3,000 rpm. This is about 10 times more than a helicopter on Earth.
After reaching Mars, the 'Mars 2020 Rover' will find a suitable location to fly the helicopter, and then the rover will return to a safe distance. The Mars helicopter will use solar cells to charge its lithium-ion battery and perform multiple tests, and then Waiting for Mars rover relay instructions.
Mimi Aung pointed out that because the distance between Earth and Mars is too far away, there is no way to control the Mars helicopter in real time. Instead, the helicopter will be able to receive and interpret the ground instructions autonomously, and then perform the mission itself. When it lands, it will There is a heating mechanism to help keep it warm on the cold Mars night.
Jordan Evans, deputy director of engineering and science at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said: 'This is essentially a high-risk, high-return effort. Mars' thin atmosphere makes the rotation of huge rotor blades very fast. However, the lift support provided by it is limited. Therefore, we must make all communications, cameras, engines and power systems into automatic flight systems and allow it to draw topographic maps, avoid rocks, and safely land near the rover. So that it can successfully transmit air data.
NASA said that during a 30-day flight test, the Mars helicopter should be able to make up to five flights to fly farther in a progressive manner. However, each flight cannot exceed several hundred meters or continue. 90 seconds. In the first flight, it will climb to 3 meters vertically, hovering in the air for about 30 seconds.
What if the Mars helicopter crashes? The overall mission of the Mars 2020 rover will not be affected. However, if successful, Mars helicopters may have great potential, such as low-altitude reconnaissance planes and aerial vehicles, to enter. Mars locations that cannot be reached through ground travel.
Thomas Zurbuchen, deputy director of NASA's Scientific Missions Council, said in the statement: 'For future explorers, being able to clearly see the things behind the next hill is crucial. With the Mars helicopters With the 'Hawk Eye View' provided, we can imagine a relaxed scenario of performing tasks in the future.
NASA said that the Mars 2020 rover mission was launched in August 2013 as a technology development project of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The rover will take off at Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral and will be at 2021. February arrived in Mars. (Compilation / Jinlu) Return to TencentHome>>