NASA tests near-supersonic rotors for future Mars aircraft

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ran 137 tests in a space-simulation chamber that replaces air with a low-density CO2 mix to mimic Mars’ thin atmosphere, spinning new Mars helicopter rotors fast enough for their tips to reach Mach 1.08. The tests evaluated a three-bladed rotor and a longer two-bladed variant for the SkyFall concept, with results showing potential lift increases of about 30%—a boost for carrying heavier science payloads and larger batteries on future Mars aircraft. The work builds on NASA’s Ingenuity success, moving toward a next generation of helicopters designed for more ambitious exploration in the Red Planet’s challenging conditions.