Mars Airplane discussions

[Twark_Main]

The NASA Mars helicopter’s work is not done, it turns out

https://www.digitaltrends.com/space/nasa-mars-helicopter-work-not-done/

It’s not clear how for much longer Ingenuity will be able to operate. Much will depend on the time it takes for martian sand to cover its solar panels. When that happens, as it did it with NASA’s stationary InSight Mars lander in 2022, it will be well and truly game over for the Mars helicopter.

Sounds like a good opportunity to use as a testbed for PV panel cleaning via vibration and/or airflow from the rotors?   

[Emmettvonbrown]

Fascinating story. An ultra high altitude drone, imagined to "sniff" SR-71 and SST interactions with the ozone layer.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/marsair-794451/
Ends as a Mars airplane.

[SteveKelly]

The paper provides detailed insights into the bipropellant system and other key components of the rocket design. Is this going to happen?

[JulesVerneATV]

The Mars Helicopter Ingenuity: What It’s Taught Us About Flying in Thin Atmospheres

https://discoverwildscience.com/the-mars-helicopter-ingenuity-what-its-taught-us-about-flying-in-thin-atmospheres-1-326041/