(Source-The-Indian-Express)
In an extraordinary turn of events, two planets have become the proving grounds for the next frontier in aircraft design, thanks to NASA’s groundbreaking work on next-generation Mars ingenuity helicopter. The achievement centers around the recent testing of a revolutionary rotor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, spinning at near-supersonic speeds (0.95 Mach), marking a significant leap in the exploration and development of future aerial vehicles.
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, initially deployed as a technology demonstration in 2021, has not only exceeded expectations but has also set new altitude and airspeed records during experimental flight testing on the Red Planet. The ingenuity helicopter’s primary mission was to showcase the viability of flight in Mars’ thin atmosphere. However, it has since evolved into a pivotal tool for testing the practicality of airborne exploration on Mars and other celestial bodies.
Turbulence caused by the approaching supersonic speeds
The recent Earth-based rotor tests involved the examination of advanced carbon fiber rotor blades, slightly longer than those on the Ingenuity helicopter and designed for larger and more capable Mars helicopters. NASA engineers faced the challenge of addressing turbulence caused by the approaching supersonic speeds of the blade tips. To simulate Martian conditions, JPL’s space simulator, a facility previously used for testing spacecraft like Surveyor, Voyager, and Cassini, was utilized. Over three weeks in September, the team meticulously monitored sensors and cameras as the blades underwent numerous runs, reaching speeds of 3,500 revolutions per minute.
Tyler Del Sesto, Sample Recovery Helicopter deputy test conductor at JPL, declared, “These more efficient blades are now more than a hypothetical exercise. They are ready to fly.”
Ingenuity’s real-world flights have not only defied expectations but also opened up new possibilities for future exploration. Initially slated for five flights, the ingenuity helicopter has completed an astonishing 66 flights over two-and-a-half years, extending its mission well beyond the planned 30 days.
Sets the stage for the development of future flying models
Travis Brown, Ingenuity’s chief engineer at JPL, highlighted the achievements of the past nine months, including doubling maximum airspeed and altitude, increased acceleration rates, and improved landing techniques. Despite flight durations limited to two to three minutes due to energy constraints, Ingenuity has provided valuable data on Martian wind patterns, scouted locations for the Perseverance rover, and even demonstrated the ability to land at speeds 25 percent slower than originally planned.
As Ingenuity prepares for its next set of tests in December, engineers anticipate undertaking two high-speed flights, each with unique pitch-and-roll angles. The data gathered from these tests will be instrumental in refining aero-mechanical models, advancing our understanding of rotorcraft behavior in the challenging Martian environment. With each successful flight, Ingenuity not only pushes the boundaries of Martian aviation but also sets the stage for the development of future flying models in the exploration of uncharted celestial terrains.
