NASA’s next Mars Chopper, the size of an SUV, aims to explore Mars faster and farther than ever before, building on Ingenuity’s groundbreaking success.
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter made history in 2021 as the first object to achieve powered flight on another planet. Over three years, it completed 72 flights before its mission ended in January 2024. Now, NASA is planning a bigger, more advanced follow-up: the Mars Chopper.
The new drone, still in early design stages, is the size of an SUV and equipped with six rotor blades. It can carry up to 11 pounds of scientific tools and cover 1.9 miles per Martian day. This larger, faster helicopter will explore areas inaccessible to rovers, offering deeper insights into Mars’ terrain and potential for future missions.
While not yet confirmed for launch, the Mars Chopper represents NASA’s growing ambition to explore Mars more efficiently and unlock its many mysteries.
How do you think NASA’s new Mars Chopper will impact our understanding of Mars? What discoveries are you most excited about?