NASA’s SkyFall helicopters will scan the Martian surface in search of ice - Universe Space Tech

NASA is accelerating the development of three SkyFall Mars helicopters, which are to depart for the Red Planet in 2028 aboard the Space Reactor-1 Freedom spacecraft. The vehicle, equipped with a nuclear power system, is expected to deliver a capsule containing the aircraft to Mars’ northern hemisphere in spring, when the risk of dust storms is lower, Space.com reports. Independent landingThe three identical helicopters are planned to be released into the Martian atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters. After separation, they are expected to deploy, descend and land on the planet’s surface independently. This deployment method does not involve a single-use lander or a rover carrier, as was the case with Ingenuity, which operated alongside Perseverance. SkyFall is being developed based on the experience of Ingenuity, which completed 72 flights in Jezero Crater, although it was initially designed for only five. The new vehicles will be slightly larger but will operate according to the same principle. They are being designed for six months of operation, with the goal of extending this to one Earth year. More current news is available on the UA.

"Just like here on Earth, Mars helicopters can cover distance quickly and can go places that might be impossible to reach by ground."

SYDNEY, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- An Australian study has produced the first comprehensive classification system and map of Martian soils, offering a framework to help scientists identify potential locations for future exploration, habitation and food production. The research classifies almost 800 million locations across Mars into a hierarchy of 2,000 soil classes using orbital observations and models, presenting a global map showing where they occur, according to a statement released by Australia's University of Sydney. "Scientists have mapped Mars' geology, mineralogy and chemistry before, but our system brings together multiple properties into a single framework, helping us understand how different Martian soils relate to one another and where they're found," said Daniel Irving, a PhD student at the university, who led the research. The classification system groups Martian soils into 10 major "realms," 100 "assemblages" and 2,000 detailed "forms" based on properties including texture, mineralogy, pH and profile thickness. As a proof of concept, researchers assessed the soil classes for characteristics relevant to plant production.

Concept of JAXA’s MMX spacecraft during its Mars orbit insertion, with the moon Phobos in the background. A pioneering mission to study a pair of Martian moons and return a 10-gram soil sample to Earth is being prepared for launch Oct. 19 from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center. If successful, the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission will add the first samples of Martian real estate to the world’s...

image: PhD candidate Daniel Irving at the University of Sydney A PhD student at the University of Sydney has produced the first comprehensive classification system and map of Martian soils, creating a new framework that could help scientists compare landscapes across the Red Planet and identify promising locations for future exploration, habitation and food production.