JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

Mars Atmosphere Density Model

April 5, 2022
Models for the seasonal variation in atmospheric density on Mars between summer and winter predict that air density will be high enough in late March for NASA's Mars Ingenuity Helicopter to return to its original RPM.

Models for the seasonal variation in atmospheric density on Mars between summer (low density) and winter (higher density) predict that air density will be high enough in late March for NASA's Mars Ingenuity Helicopter to return to its original RPM. Since September, the helicopter's rotors have been operating an increased RPM of 2,700 – up from 2,537 RPM during Ingenuity's first 13 flights. The Ingenuity team will use observations from Perseverance's weather station, MEDA, to confirm the true air density on Mars before making the change.

The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was built by JPL in Southern California, which also manages the project for NASA Headquarters. It is supported by NASA's Science Mission Directorate. NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley, and NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, provided significant flight performance analysis and technical assistance during Ingenuity's development. AeroVironment Inc., Qualcomm, and SolAero also provided design assistance and major vehicle components. Lockheed Martin Space designed and manufactured the Mars Helicopter Delivery System.

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
Spacecraft
  • Ingenuity
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Keep Exploring

Ingenuity Team With Collier Trophy

Ingenuity Chief Pilot Speaks at Collier Dinner

NASA's Mars Helicopter Team Members With Collier Trophy

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter's Record-Breaking Flight

Environmental Plot at Jezero

Fortun Ridge Imaged on Ingenuity's Flight 27

Rover's Backshell Seen From the Air

Rover Landing Gear Seen From the Air by Mars Helicopter

Debris Field for Perseverance Landing Gear Seen from Mars Helicopter

Ingenuity Flight 20

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors
Careers
Internships
The JPL Story
JPL Achievements
Documentary Series
Annual Reports
Missions
Current
Past
Future
All
News
All
Earth
Solar System
Stars and Galaxies
Subscribe to JPL News
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Apps
Visions of the Future
Slice of History
Robotics at JPL
Events
Lecture Series
Team Competitions
Speakers Bureau
Calendar
Visit
Public Tours
Virtual Tour
Topics
JPL Life
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Exoplanets
Stars and Galaxies
Robotics
More
Asteroid Watch
NASA's Eyes Visualizations
Universe - Internal Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Managers: Veronica McGregor, Randal Jackson
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Naomi Hartono