China is developing its own helicopter for flights on Mars
A scientific team from the National Space Science Center (NSSC), located in Beijing, is actively developing its own helicopter designed to fly to Mars.
Own Mars helicopter will be in China
The development of a prototype "Martian ground-based spacecraft system" was approved for development in September.
Similar to NASA's Ingenueiti helicopter, the Chinese version will also have two sets of blades, which are located on one rotor mast, in order to provide lift during vertical takeoff, as well as landing in an extremely rarefied atmosphere Mars.
Chinese experts were still studying the possibility of a fixed wing, the development of which is being developed by specialists from the Middle Kingdom from other scientific centers in the country. But research has shown that size, weight, and power and lift constraints can best be overcome with a single rotor mast.
As you know, the batteries on "Ingenyuiti" are quite enough to provide only one 1.5-minute flight per Martian day. But the NSSC team is exploring the possibility of using wireless charging directly through an all-terrain vehicle or a combination of both power systems.
So according to a published material in China Science Daily, it was proposed to develop a helicopter that guides Chinese rover, back in 2019, and the final decision to start development was made in June of the same of the year.
The main idea of using the helicopter was that the device would make it possible to better select routes for moving the research module over the surface.
In addition, the equipment mounted on the Chinese helicopter will help detect scientifically important targets and perform initial analysis.
At the moment, scientists from the Celestial Empire are faced with the task of ensuring the operability of the apparatus under the extreme conditions of Mars.
So engineers will be busy simulating similar conditions on Earth in order to thoroughly carry out all tests of the rover's helicopter. I would like to note that so far in China there are no objects that could allow performing the entire range of studies in all parameters of interest.
Chinese specialists have about 5-6 years for active research and overcoming all technical difficulties. So according to the roadmap, China's next mission to Mars is scheduled for 2028-2030.
Well, let's watch the development of the Chinese space program and its successes and failures. If you liked the material, then rate it and do not forget to subscribe to the channel. Thank you for your attention!