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This mission will be using a helicopter on the surface of Mars. That ought to be cool.
Will be interesting to see if the thin Martian atmosphere can effectively support powered flight of a helicopter.
So far all we've used the atmosphere for is slowing down things with parachutes but those have massive surface area. A couple of thin copter blades will be a different story.
Will be interesting to see if the thin Martian atmosphere can effectively support powered flight of a helicopter.
So far all we've used the atmosphere for is slowing down things with parachutes but those have massive surface area. A couple of thin copter blades will be a different story.
I'm sure it will work. They've tested the drone in vacuum chambers set at that of the martian atmosphere. It's all about weight, blade length, and how fast you spin them. The mars helicopter will spin its blades at about 2,500 revolutions per minute.
For context, a typical helicopter here on Earth spins the blades at about 475 revolutions per minute.
I'm sure it will work. They've tested the drone in vacuum chambers set at that of the martian atmosphere. It's all about weight, blade length, and how fast you spin them. The mars helicopter will spin its blades at about 2,500 revolutions per minute.
For context, a typical helicopter here on Earth spins the blades at about 475 revolutions per minute.
It's also much lighter.
I think it probably will work, but it’s still classed as an experimental test on this flight, which is why they didn’t include any instruments on it other than a camera. Assuming it’s successful, I’m sure the next one will be bigger and have science instruments.
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