Experimental Investigation and Demonstration of Rotary-Wing Technologies for Flight in the Atmosphere of Mars

Abstract

This paper details ongoing work at NASA Ames Research Center as to experimental investigations and demonstrations related to rotary-wing technologies that might be applied to flight in the atmosphere of Mars. Such Mars rotorcraft would provide a `three-dimensional mobility' to the exploration of the Red Planet. Preliminary results from isolated rotor testing in Mars-representative atmospheric densities, as well as progress towards coaxial test stand development are discussed. Additionally, work towards the development and use of surrogate flight vehicles -- in the terrestrial environment -- to demonstrate key technologies is also summarized.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA480504

Entities

People

  • E. W. Aiken
  • J. Navarrete
  • L. A. Young
  • M. R. Derby
  • R. Demblewski

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Atmospheric Density
  • Control Systems
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Measurement
  • Navigation
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Equipment
  • Test Facilities
  • Test Stands
  • Three Dimensional
  • Unmanned Vehicles
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.