Nasa’s ‘SkyFall’ helicopters beam green waves to hunt for ice on Mars

Nasa has revealed a first glimpse of what its next generation of Martian helicopters could look like in action.

A new artist’s impression shows three SkyFall aircraft sweeping across the Red Planet as they search for hidden ice beneath the surface.

The helicopters are scheduled to launch in late 2028 before being delivered to Mars using what the US space agency describes as a ‘daring mid-air deployment’.

Once airborne, the trio will use sophisticated instruments for subsurface radar mapping, near-infrared imaging, visible-light photography and temperature monitoring.

Nasa’s new image shows green waves coming from the helicopters’ antennas, representing the collection of subsurface radar data.

Red beams show near-infrared measurements being taken from crushed rock, soil and other material on the Martian surface.

To make the mission possible, engineers developed a unique flexible antenna covered in polyester and Vectran – a high-performance fibre previously used in landing airbags for Mars rovers.

The design recently completed testing at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and allows the helicopters to fly extremely close to the ground without damaging the antenna when landing.

Adrian Tang, SkyFall’s ground-penetrating radar lead instrument scientist, said: ‘The only way to detect shallow subsurface ice remotely is to fly close to the ground.

‘By flying low and slow, a SkyFall helicopter could capture radar images that resolve the fine layering where dry soil gives way to ice, detecting its presence and mapping its extent.’

SkyFall will build on the success of Ingenuity, Nasa’s first aircraft to achieve powered and controlled flight on another planet.

But while Ingenuity relied on the Perseverance rover as a communications relay, the SkyFall helicopters will be able to independently transmit information to spacecraft orbiting Mars.