AeroVironment, Inc., in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has introduced "Skyfall," a concept for deploying six autonomous helicopters on Mars to explore potential landing sites for future human missions. Each helicopter is designed to operate independently, transmitting high-resolution surface imagery and subsurface radar data to Earth, aiding in the identification of areas rich in water, ice, and other resources essential for crewed landings.
The Skyfall initiative introduces the "Skyfall Maneuver," an innovative entry, descent, and landing technique where the six rotorcraft deploy from their entry capsule during descent through the Martian atmosphere. This approach eliminates the need for a traditional landing platform, reducing mission complexity and cost.
This concept builds upon the success of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which completed 72 flights over nearly three years, demonstrating the viability of aerial exploration on Mars. The Skyfall project aims to provide detailed, actionable data from an aerial perspective, benefiting both future crewed missions and planetary science research into Mars' habitability.
AeroVironment has initiated internal development and is coordinating with NASA JPL to facilitate a potential 2028 launch of the Skyfall mission.