NASA Chopper Ready for a Spin on Mars
Transcript
NASA CHOPPER READY FOR A SPIN ON MARS
THE MARS HELICOPTER IS A TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION
THAT WILL LAUNCH WITH THE MARS 2020 MISSION.
[Mimi Aung] Can we fly at Mars? That has been a question for a long time.
[music]
IN THEORY, IF A HELICOPTER IS LIGHT ENOUGH AND THE BLADES SPIN FAST
ENOUGH, IT SHOULD FLY.
IN THE THIN MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE, WILL THIS BE POSSIBLE?
AFTER BUILDING MANY PROTOTYPES, ENGINEERS HAVE BUILT A VEHICLE THEY BELIEVE
WILL FLY ON THE RED PLANET.
THIS IS THE ACTUAL HELICOPTER THAT WILL GO TO MARS.
MARS-LIKE CONDITIONS ARE CREATED FOR FLIGHT TESTING.
INSIDE A SPACE SIMULATOR, THE CONDITIONS ARE
1% OF EARTH'S
ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY,
AND 40% OF EARTH'S GRAVITY.
[buzzing]
IN JANUARY 2019, THE HELICOPTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ITS FINAL FLIGHT TEST.
[Mimi Aung] This is a huge milestone for us. But really our job
isn't done until we see the same test flight being performed at Mars.
[ music]
THE NEXT TIME THE HELICOPTER
WILL ATTEMPT TO FLY WILL BE ON MARS.
IF SUCCESSFUL, A HELICOPTER COULD BE USED FOR
FUTURE MISSIONS.
[EXPLORE
SPACE TECH]
[NASA]