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Mars science helicopter: Compelling science enabled by an aerial platform

April 30, 2021

This whitepaper describes two conceptual vehicle designs, including possible tradeoffs within those designs, which would enable a wide array of innovative science investigations. In addition to describing vehicle capabilities, flight characteristics, and the breadth of enabled science for the two helicopter designs, we also introduce three mission concepts that showcase investigations made possible by MSH. We conclude with recommendations concerning the future of rotorcraft exploration at Mars.

Publication Year 2021
Title Mars science helicopter: Compelling science enabled by an aerial platform
DOI 10.3847/25c2cfeb.a126aea0
Authors Jonathan Bapst, Timothy J Parker, J Balaram, T Tzanetos, L. H. Matthies, C D Edwards, Aaron Freeman, S Withrow-Maser, W. Carter Johnson, E Amador-French, Janice L. Bishop, Ingrid J. Daubar, Colin M. Dundas, Abigail A. Fraeman, Christopher W. Hamilton, C. Hardgrove, Briony H. N. Horgan, C. W. Leung, Y. Lin, A Mittelholz, B. P. Weiss
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Series Title Bulletin of the AAS
Index ID 70213149
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Astrogeology Science Center