Conceptual Design of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Mars Exploration

Abstract

Significant technology advances have enabled planetary exploration aircraft to be considered as a viable science platform. These systems fill in a unique planetary science measurement gap, that of the regional scale, near-surface observation while providing a new perspective for planetary discovery. Exploration of Mars using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) has been planned for over 25 years by leading space organizations such as NASA. Recent efforts have been able to produce some mature mission and flight system concepts, ready for flight project implementation. There are however si0gnificant numbers of challenges associated with getting an airplane to fly through the thin, carbon dioxide-rich Martian atmosphere. Traditional aircraft design expertise does not always apply to this sort of vehicle, and geometric, aerodynamic, and mission restrictions result in a restricted viable design space. This paper presents the conceptual approach that was taken to design a UAV capable of performing a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) in the atmosphere of Mars. The UAV was designed to participate in the International Planetary Aerial Systems Challenge 2021. The UAV could carry a science payload of up to 5 kg (weight on mars).