NASA is speeding up three Mars helicopters for a 2028 launch, with scientists saying they could reach places ground vehicles cannot and reveal new parts of the planet.
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01Summary
- 01NASA plans to launch SR-1 Freedom in 2028 to carry the SkyFall entry capsule and three helicopters to Mars.
- 02The helicopters are due to be released into Mars' atmosphere at about 1,000 metres above the surface and land independently.
- 03NASA says the craft could travel one to two kilometres every other sol, with total traverses of 200-300 kilometres possible.
- 04Each helicopter is designed to last six months, with a goal of one Earth year, and will carry five instruments plus navigation cameras.
- 05A first workshop on landing sites is planned for early next year, with a second workshop set for late 2027.
02Why it matters
The mission could help scientists study subsurface ice, geology and weather in places that are hard or impossible for rovers to reach. That matters because those findings may also help NASA prepare for future human exploration of Mars.
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