As part of the upcoming Mars 2020 rover mission, NASA is planning to include an autonomous helicopter to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of using helicopters for Mars exploration. Helicopter flight on Mars is challenging due to the extremely thin atmosphere, which is only partially offset by a reduction in gravity. This paper focuses on flight dynamics and controllability issues for the Mars Helicopter: in particular, the areas in which the dynamics differs from typical behavior on Earth. The paper discusses insights gained from modeling and simulation, as well as system identification performed with a test vehicle in the relevant atmospheric conditions, which culminated in the first demonstration of controlled helicopter flight in Martian atmospheric conditions in May 2016.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Modeling and Identification of Hover Flight Dynamics for NASA’s Mars Helicopter



    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2020-02-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Flight Control System for NASA's Mars Helicopter

    Grip, Håvard F. / Lam, Johnny / Bayard, David S. et al. | AIAA | 2019


    Flight Control System for NASA's Mars Helicopter

    Grip, Hávard F. / Lam, Johnny / Bayard, David S. et al. | TIBKAT | 2019



    Hover and Forward Flight Performance Modeling of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter

    Cuyler Dull / Lauren Wagner / Larry Young et al. | NTRS