PREVIEW

NASA scientists have unveiled a concept design for their next helicopter that will explore Mars - The Mars Chopper.

A short animation depicts the NASA concept for the craft that will buzz around the red planet, following in the wake of the much-loved Ingenuity Helicopter.

The Chopper, which remains in early conceptual and design, is designed to scout Mars, but its greater size and multiple rotors mean it will also be able to carry science instruments to study terrain grounded vehicles like the Mars Rover can’t reach.

The concept was discussed by Chopper project manager Teddy Tzanetos of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, during Wednesday’s (11 December 2024) briefing at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington D.C.


Its forerunner, Ingenuity, nicknamed Ginny, has been one of NASA’s great successes, beaming back incredible images of Mars taken from its skies.

However, in January, during its 72nd flight, it crashed and suffered severe damage to its rotor blades, bringing its almost three year mission on Mars to a close.