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Skyfall

All articles tagged with #skyfall

NASA funds Firefly aeroshell for SkyFall Mars helicopter mission
space2 days ago

NASA funds Firefly aeroshell for SkyFall Mars helicopter mission

NASA awarded Firefly Aerospace a $13 million subcontract to design and manufacture the aeroshell that will shield the SkyFall spacecraft’s descent during its Mars entry and exit, part of NASA’s plan to launch SkyFall in 2028 with three Ingenuity-like helicopters that will be released mid-descent to scout for water ice and potential crewed-landing sites, leveraging Firefly’s Gloworks facility and Blue Ghost heritage while NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory oversees the mission.

NASA tests near-supersonic rotors for future Mars aircraft
space1 month ago

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.

SkyFall Rotors Hit Mach 1.08 in Mars-Atmosphere Tests
science1 month ago

SkyFall Rotors Hit Mach 1.08 in Mars-Atmosphere Tests

NASA’s SkyFall project tested next‑gen Mars rotor designs in a Mars‑simulated chamber, pushing rotor-tip speeds to Mach 1.08 and showing a ~30% lift boost over Ingenuity, enabling heavier payloads. Ingenuity flew subsonically on Mars to gather data; Mars’ thin atmosphere lowers the effective Mach barrier. The 2028 SkyFall mission plans three helicopters to scout landing sites and map subsurface water ice.

NASA tests Mars rotors at Mach 1.08 to power next-gen SkyFall helicopters
space-and-astronomy2 months ago

NASA tests Mars rotors at Mach 1.08 to power next-gen SkyFall helicopters

NASA and AeroVironment tested two Mars-bound rotor systems in JPL’s Mars simulator, reaching rotor tip speeds up to Mach 1.08 (about 3,750 rpm) under simulated Martian conditions—surpassing Mars’ speed of sound and signaling feasibility for larger SkyFall rotorcraft that could carry bigger instruments and longer missions, building on Ingenuity’s historic Mars flights.

NASA gears up for 2028 Mars mission with nuclear-powered Skyfall helicopters
science3 months ago

NASA gears up for 2028 Mars mission with nuclear-powered Skyfall helicopters

NASA announced the Skyfall mission to Mars for a December 2028 launch aboard Space Reactor-1 Freedom, a nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft. The plan calls for three small helicopters to scout landing sites and map subsurface ice using cameras and ground-penetrating radar, helping pave the way for future human exploration while establishing flight heritage for nuclear propulsion and laying groundwork for regulatory and launch precedents.

NASA Bets on Nuclear-Powered Skyfall Helicopters for Mars by 2028
science3 months ago

NASA Bets on Nuclear-Powered Skyfall Helicopters for Mars by 2028

NASA unveiled the Skyfall concept: six small helicopter scouts would ride to Mars on a nuclear-electric propulsion spacecraft called Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom, targeting a 2028 launch. The mission would demonstrate onboard fission power powering efficient electric thrusters, enabling surface reconnaissance and data collection to aid future crewed Mars missions and broader outer-planet exploration, while shaping a regulatory and industrial base for nuclear power in space.

Denis Villeneuve to Direct Next James Bond Film for Amazon MGM
entertainment1 year ago

Denis Villeneuve to Direct Next James Bond Film for Amazon MGM

Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director of 'Dune' and 'Sicario,' has been confirmed to direct the next James Bond film, with his favorite Bond movies being 'Casino Royale' and 'Skyfall,' both starring Daniel Craig. The franchise is now under Amazon's control, and the search for the next actor to play Bond is expected to begin soon, with Villeneuve bringing his expertise to the reboot.