NASA has unveiled a new Mars design, the "Mars Chopper," which will serve as the successor to the Ingenuity helicopter.
Science and Technology
In January 2025, NASA unveiled the design of a new Mars drone called the "Mars Chopper," aimed at advanced exploration of Mars.
- The Mars Chopper is the successor to the 'Ingenuity Helicopter,' which successfully flew over the surface of Mars for over 3 years. It landed alongside the Perseverance Rover in 2020.
- Ingenuity Helicopter, a small 1.8 kg helicopter initially designed for 5 experimental test flights over 30 days, exceeded expectations by operating for nearly 3 years, completing 72 flights and flying 30 times farther than originally planned.
Main Point :- (i) Mars Chopper is created by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), based in Southern California (USA), in collaboration with the Ames Research Center (ARC), also in California.
(ii) The Mars Chopper is a drone-like vehicle, about the size of a Support Utility Vehicle (SUV), and has 6 rotors. Each rotor has 6 blades, which are smaller than those on the Ingenuity Helicopter, but they provide better lift.
(iii) The Mars Chopper can carry up to 5 kg of equipment and can perform more complex tasks. It can also fly longer distances, up to 3 kilometers (km).
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