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NASA’s Ingenuity experimental helicopter has transformed into a Martian scout. NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU
High risk, high reward. that of NASA The Mars helicopter bet has paid off as Ingenuity continues to scout over the Martian landscape for the Perseverance rover. It was a triumphant mission, but the work of the helicopter becomes much more difficult to accomplish.
Havard Grip, Ingenuity’s chief pilot, spoke about the challenges the helicopter faces in a NASA status update this week. The density of the atmosphere in Jezero Crater is declining, a factor according to Grip has “a significant impact on Ingenuity’s ability to fly.”
Atmospheric density – which can fluctuate over time and with seasonal changes – affects the thrust Ingenuity needs to take off and climb through the air. Lower density makes it more difficult to perform these tasks. Even life-size helicopters on Earth have to take atmospheric density into account. The ingenuity was optimized to operate in an atmosphere on Mars that is about 1.2-1.5% of Earth’s at sea level, but the rotorcraft stayed long enough to undergo a change in conditions.
© NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU
NASA’s Ingenuity experimental helicopter has transformed into a Martian scout.
This does not mean that ingenuity will be ingrained. “Fortunately, there is a way to fix this, but it involves spinning the rotors even faster than we’ve done so far,” Grip said. “In fact, they’ll have to spin faster than we’ve ever tried with Ingenuity or any of our test helicopters on Earth.”
The brave little rotorcraft heads into uncharted territory as its team plans to test this demonic version of its rotor speed. NASA JPL said Ingenuity performed a rotor spin test and could take off from its 14th flight today. The flight will be short and will aim to show that the helicopter can handle lower atmospheric densities.
These tests represent a short break from recent work by Ingenuity on the Mars flyby and scan the landscape to help the Perseverance team plan the rover’s explorations.
Grip has warned of possible issues that could arise with increased rotor speeds. The helicopter can experience aerodynamic drag that prevents flights, although Grip says that shouldn’t be a problem just yet. The rotorcraft could also encounter vibrations that could damage its equipment.
NASA opened a new chapter in its space exploration history book with the safe landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars on February 18, 2021. This stunning image shows the rover as it was lowered to the surface using what is called a “sky crane” maneuver. . It could become an iconic image of humanity’s efforts to investigate our solar system. Perseverance is on a mission to search for signs of ancient microbial life and collect samples that may one day be brought back to Earth. The rover did not travel alone. He has a helicopter companion, Ingenuity.
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The planned tests will be quite a training for the chopper. “The motors will have to run faster, the electrical system will have to deliver more power, and the entire rotor system will have to withstand the higher loads that come with the increased rotor speeds,” Grip said.
Ingenuity has a knack for overcoming challenges. This was done due to technical issues and software updates and made flights more and more difficult. Hoping that he clears this last hurdle.
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