Mars Helicopter Ingenuity

Mars Helicopter Ingenuity[4][5] is a robotic helicopter that is planned to be used to test the technology to scout interesting targets on Mars, and help plan the best driving route for future Mars rovers.[6][7] The small drone helicopter is planned for deployment in 2021 from the Perseverance rover as part of the NASA Mars 2020 mission.[8]

"Mars Helicopter" redirects here. For Mars helicopters and other rotorcraft in general, see Mars aircraft.

Ingenuity
Photographic profile of Ingenuity
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeUAV helicopter
ManufacturerJet Propulsion Laboratory
Landing mass
  • Total: 1.8 kg (4.0 lb)[1]
  • Batteries: 273 g (9.6 oz)
Dimensions
  • Chassis: 14 cm (5.5 in) cube[2]
  • Rotor: 3.9 ft (1.2 m) diameter[2][1]
  • Height: 80 cm (31 in)[2]
Power350 watts[3]
Start of mission
Launch date30 July 2020
Deployed fromPerseverance
Entered service18 February 2021 (planned)
Instruments

JPL's Mars Helicopter insignia  

It is planned to make the first powered flight on any planet beyond Earth[9]:0:25, and is expected to fly up to five times during its 30-day test campaign, early in the rover's mission, as it is primarily a technology demonstration.[10] Each flight is planned to take no more than three minutes, at altitudes ranging from 3 to 10 m above the ground.[11] It could potentially cover a distance of up to 300 metres (980 ft) per flight.[11] It can use autonomous control during its short flights, although flights will be telerobotically planned and scripted by controllers at JPL. It will communicate with the Perseverance rover directly after each landing. If it works as expected, NASA could build on the design for future Mars aerial missions.[11]

MiMi Aung is the project lead.[12] Other contributors include AeroVironment Inc., NASA Ames Research Center, and NASA Langley Research Center.[13]

Design
Flight characteristics of Ingenuity
Rotor speed Up to 2400 rpm[1]
Blade tip speed <0.7 Mach[5]
Flight time Up to 90 seconds, once per sol[3]
Operational time 1 or more flights within 30 sols[3]
Maximum range, flight 300 m (980 ft)[3][11]
Maximum range, radio 1,000 m (3,300 ft)[11]
Maximum altitude 5 m (16 ft)[3]
Maximum speed
  • Horizontal: 10 m/s (33 ft/s)[13]
  • Vertical: 3 m/s (9.8 ft/s)[13]
Battery capacity 35–40 Wh (130–140 kJ)[9]:10:00–11:45
Diagram showing the components of Ingenuity

Ingenuity is designed to be a technology demonstrator by JPL to assess whether this technology can fly safely, and provide better mapping and guidance that would give future mission controllers more information to help with travel routes planning and hazard avoidance, as well as identifying points of interest for the rover.[14][15][16] The helicopter is designed to provide overhead images with approximately ten times the resolution of orbital images, and would display features that may be occluded from the rover cameras. It is expected that such scouting may enable future rovers to safely drive up to three times as far per sol.[17]

The helicopter uses counter-rotating coaxial rotors about 3.9 ft (1.2 m) in diameter. Its payload is planned to be a high resolution downward-looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain, and a communication system to relay data to the 2020 Mars rover.[18] Although it is an aircraft, it is being constructed to spacecraft specifications in order to endure the g-force and vibration during launch. It also includes radiation-resistant systems capable of operating in the frigid environment of Mars. The inconsistent Mars magnetic field precludes the use of a compass for navigation, so it is planned to use a solar tracker camera integrated to JPL's visual inertial navigation system. Some additional inputs include gyros, visual odometry, tilt sensors, altimeter, and hazard detectors.[19] It is designed to use solar panels to recharge its batteries, which are six Sony Li-ion cells with 35–40 Wh (130–140 kJ) of battery energy capacity[9]:10:00–11:45 (nameplate capacity of 2 Ah).[11]

The main computing engine for Ingenuity uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and uses the Qualcomm flight board distributed by Intrinsyc, with a Linux operating system.[11] Among other functions, this controls the visual navigation algorithm via a velocity estimate derived from features tracked with a camera.[11] The Qualcomm processor is connected to two flight-control microcontroller units (MCUs) to perform the needed flight-control functions.[11] Communications with the rover are through a radio link using low-power Zigbee communication protocol, implemented via 900 MHz SiFlex 02 chipsets mounted in both the rover and helicopter.[11] The communication system is designed to relay data at 250 kbit/s over distances of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft).[11]

The helicopter is planned to travel to Mars attached to the underside of the Perseverance rover and to be deployed to the surface between 60 and 90 Martian days (sols) after the landing. Then, the rover is expected to drive approximately 100 m (330 ft) away for the beginning of the test flight campaign.[20][21]

Testing

In 2019, preliminary designs of Ingenuity were tested on Earth in simulated Mars atmospheric and gravity conditions. For flight testing, a large vacuum chamber was used to simulate the very low atmospheric pressure of Mars—less than one percent of standard atmospheric pressure at sea level on Earth—which is the equivalent of a helicopter flying at 100,000 ft (30,000 m) in the atmosphere of Earth. In order to simulate the much reduced gravity field of Mars, 62 percent of Earth's gravity was offset by a line pulling upwards during flight tests.[9]

Future Mars rover design iteration

The Ingenuity technology demonstrator used on the Mars 2020 mission could form the foundation on which more capable aircraft might be developed for aerial exploration of Mars and other planetary targets with an atmosphere.[14][11][22] The next generation of rotorcraft could be in the range between 5 and 15 kg with science payloads between 0.5 and 1.5 kg. These potential aircraft could have direct communication to an orbiter and may or may not continue to work with a landed asset.[21] Future helicopters could be used to explore special regions with exposed water ice or brines where Earth microbial life could potentially survive. Mars helicopters may also be considered for fast retrieval of small sample caches back to a Mars ascent vehicle for return to Earth.[11]

Development

NASA's JPL and AeroVironment published the conceptual design in 2014 for a scout helicopter to accompany a rover.[13][23][24] By mid 2016, US$15 million was being requested to keep development of the helicopter on track.[25] By December 2017, engineering models of the vehicle had been tested in a simulated Martian atmosphere[11][2] and models were undergoing testing in the Arctic, but its inclusion in the mission had not yet been approved nor funded.[26] The United States federal budget announced in March 2018, provided $23 million for the helicopter,[27][28] and it was announced on 11 May 2018 that the helicopter could be developed and tested in time to be included in the Mars 2020 mission.[29] The helicopter underwent extensive flight-dynamics and environment testing,[11][30] and was then mounted on the underside of the Perseverance rover in August 2019.[31] Its mass is just under 1.8 kg (4.0 lb)[30] and JPL has specified that it planned to have a design life of 5 flights.[32][29] The helicopter was named by Vaneeza Rupani, an 11th grader at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport, Alabama, who submitted an essay into NASA's "Name the Rover" contest.[4][33]

See also

References
  1. "Mars Helicopter Fact Sheet" (PDF). NASA. February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Helicopter to accompany NASA's next Mars rover to Red Planet. Stephen Clarke, Spaceflight Now. May 14, 2018
  3. "Mars Helicopter". NASA Mars. NASA. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. Hautaluoma, Grey; Johnson, Alana; Agle, D.C. (29 April 2020). "Alabama High School Student Names NASA's Mars Helicopter". NASA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. Mars Helicopter Scout. video presentation at Caltech This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. Chang, Kenneth (23 June 2020). "Mars Is About to Have Its "Wright Brothers Moment" - As part of its next Mars mission, NASA is sending an experimental helicopter to fly through the red planet's thin atmosphere". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  7. Leone, Dan (19 November 2015). "Elachi Touts Helicopter Scout for Mars Sample-Caching Rover". SpaceNews. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  8. Agle, DC; Hautaluoma, Gray; Johnson, Alana (23 June 2020). "How NASA's Mars Helicopter Will Reach the Red Planet's Surface". NASA. Retrieved 23 June 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. First Flight on Another Planet!. Veritaseum. 10 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020 – via YouTube.
  10. Decision expected soon on adding helicopter to Mars 2020. Jeff Fout. Space News. May 4, 2018.
  11. Mars Helicopter Technology Demonstrator Archived 1 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine. (PDF) J. (Bob) Balaram, Timothy Canham, Courtney Duncan, Matt Golombek, Håvard Fjær Grip, Wayne Johnson, Justin Maki, Amelia Quon, Ryan Stern, and David Zhu. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), SciTech Forum Conference; January 8–12, 2018, Kissimmee, Florida. doi:10.2514/6.2018-0023 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. MiMi Aung - Autonomous Systems Deputy Division Manager Archived 5 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine. NASA/JPL This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. Generation of Mars Helicopter Rotor Model for Comprehensive Analyses Archived 1 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. (PDF) Witold J. F. Koning, Wayne Johnson, Brian G. Allan. NASA Rotorcraft. 2018 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  14. Brown, Dwayne; Wendel, JoAnna; Agle, D.C.; Northon, Karen (11 May 2018). "Mars Helicopter to Fly on NASA's Next Red Planet Rover Mission". NASA. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. Chang, Kenneth. "A Helicopter on Mars? NASA Wants to Try". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  16. Gush, Loren (11 May 2018). "NASA is sending a helicopter to Mars to get a bird's-eye view of the planet - The Mars Helicopter is happening". The Verge. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  17. Review on space robotics: Toward top-level science through space exploration (PDF). Y Gao, S Chien - Science Robotics, 2017.
  18. Volpe, Richard. "2014 Robotics Activities at JPL" (PDF). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA. Retrieved 1 September 2015. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  19. Heading Estimation via Sun Sensing for Autonomous Navigation. Parth Shah. 2017.
  20. "NASA's Mars Helicopter: Small, Autonomous Rotorcraft To Fly On Red Planet" Archived 10 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Shubham Sharma, International Business Times. May 14, 2018.
  21. "Mars Helicopter a new challenge for flight" (PDF). NASA. July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  22. "Mars Helicopter a new challenge for flight" (PDF). NASA. July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  23. J. Balaram and P. T. Tokumaru, "Rotorcrafts for Mars Exploration", in 11th International Planetary Probe Workshop, 2014.
  24. Benjamin T. Pipenberg, Matthew Keennon, Jeremy Tyler, Bart Hibbs, Sara Langberg, J. (Bob) Balaram, Håvard F. Grip and Jack Pempejian. "Design and Fabrication of the Mars Helicopter Rotor, Airframe, and Landing Gear Systems", American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), SciTech Forum Conference; January 7–11, 2019, San Diego, CA
  25. Berger, Eric (24 May 2016). "Four wild technologies lawmakers want NASA to pursue". ARS Technica. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  26. Dubois, Chantelle (29 November 2017). "Drones on Mars? NASA Projects May Soon Use Drones for Space Exploration". All About Circuits. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  27. NASA Mars exploration efforts turn to operating existing missions and planning sample return. Jeff Foust, Space News. February 23, 2018
  28. NASA to decide soon whether flying drone will launch with Mars 2020 rover. Stephen Clarke, Spaceflight Now. March 15, 2018
  29. Mars Helicopter to Fly on NASA's Next Red Planet Rover Mission Archived 11 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Karen Northon, NASA News. May 11, 2018 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  30. Agle, AG; Johnson, Alana (28 March 2019). "NASA's Mars Helicopter Completes Flight Tests". NASA. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  31. NASA's Mars Helicopter Attached to Mars 2020 Rover Archived 4 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine. NASA News – JPL. August 28, 2019 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  32. Yes, NASA Is Actually Sending a Helicopter to Mars: Here's What It Will Do. Archived 15 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Sarah Lewin, Space. May 12, 2018.
  33. Agle, D.C.; Cook, Jia-Rui; Johnson, Alana (29 April 2020). "Q&A with the Student Who Named Ingenuity, NASA's Mars Helicopter". NASA. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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