Mars Solar Flyer Would Speed Up Exploring By 800 Times Over Ground Rovers

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NASA NIAC is funding Coflow Jet to analyze a novel global mobility Mars exploration platform, Mars Aerial and Ground Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE).

MAGGIE is a compact fixed wing aircraft with ultra-high productivity efficiency powered by solar energy to fly in the Martian atmosphere with vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) capability, which is enabled by advanced deflected slipstream technology with CoFlow Jet (CFJ).

The cruise Mach number of MAGGIE is 0.25 with a cruise lift coefficient CL of 3.5, nearly an order of magnitude higher than conventional subsonic aircraft to overcome the low density of the Martian atmosphere.

The speed of sound on Mars is about 240 meters per second (m/s), which is slower than the 340 m/s speed of sound on Earth. Mars has two sound speed limits, with low-pitched sounds traveling at about 537 mph (240 m/s), and higher-pitched sounds moving at 559 mph (250 m/s). Mars speed of sound is slower because 98% CO2 has a higher molecular mass than Earth’s N2/O2 mix. And it’s colder on average. Nothing to do with density.

Mach 0.25 on Mars would be 134 mph (215 km per hour).

The ultra-high cruise CL with CL/CDc of 9 is made possible by CFJ that overcomes the low Reynolds number effect on Mars. The range of MAGGIE for a fully charged battery per 7.6 sol is 179 km at altitude of 1,000 meters. The total range of MAGGIE per Martian year is 16,048 km. The representative mission for MAGGIE presented would conduct three atmospheric and geophysical investigations, all supporting different timescales of the Dynamic Mars science theme. These include a study of the origin and timing of the Martian core dynamo from the weak magnetic fields found in the large impact basins, a regional investigation of the source of methane signals detected by the Tunable Laser Spectrometer on the Mars Science Laboratory in Gale crater, and mapping of subsurface water ice at high resolution in the mid-latitudes where it has been observed from orbit. The conceptual MAGGIE system study indicates that the concept appears to be feasible, but need to be further investigated, designed, and verified under Martian atmospheric conditions in Phase I.

MAGGIE would be able to perform the first global-scale atmospheric mission at Mars and revolutionize our capability of exploring almost the entirety of the Martian surface. It is the first concept to enable ongoing exploration of this region of Mars and would provide a substantial leap in capability for NASA’s exploration of the Red Planet. The attractiveness of airborne missions on Mars has been amply demonstrated by the Ingenuity helicopter. MAGGIE would be similarly engaging to the public, both in its audacity, and in the variety of environments it could explore, study, and image. The technology would also enhance VTOL aircraft technology on Earth and other planets.

10 thoughts on “Mars Solar Flyer Would Speed Up Exploring By 800 Times Over Ground Rovers”

  1. CFJ looks like great technology, but real success will be the proof. Another big advantage is reduced turbulence and gust sensitivity with the extremely high wing loading enabled by very impressive CL=9. looks better than 1st Gen EVTOL.

    A few issues I am concerned about the suction/blowing system:
    Power consumption
    Power failure requires very high glide and landing speed.
    Bug and dust fowling
    145K RPM fans service life
    Fan vibration from fowling
    Maintenance demands
    Added weight (structural inefficiency) versus a bigger wing

  2. The solar flyer appears quite large in the picture, practically speaking, the logistics in getting it to Mars and then unfolding it would seem to invite mission failure. Engineering experience points to the maxim, the greater the number of moving parts there are, the more likely a failure will occur. Every moving part is a potential point of failure. In the air a failure is more critical than on the ground.

    Wouldn’t it be more practical to do an inflatable hybrid design with fewer moving parts?

  3. The deflected slipstream lift augmentation of this concept comes from CoFlow Jet LLC, an eVTOL UAM startup.

    http://coflowjet.com/?page_id=150

    It basically recycles the fast moving air on the wing upper surface, and I think is a relative to wing upper surface suction techniques to maintain laminar flow.

  4. Hi Brian
    Speed of sound is slower because 98% CO2 has a higher molecular mass than Earth’s N2/O2 mix. And it’s colder on average. Nothing to do with density.

    • No. Bryan is right. Per NASA
      “The sound level you’d hear would be automatically lower on Mars. The Martian atmosphere is about 100 times less dense than on Earth — that is, there’s just a lot less of it. That affects how sound waves travel from the source to the detector, resulting in a softer signal.”

      • He’s partially right. CO2 is far enough from being an ideal gas that pressure actually has some influence on the speed of sound in it. But it’s mostly down to the molecular weight.

    • The speed of sound is independent of density for ideal gases, but ideal gases are a theoretical abstraction. Well approximated by monoatomic gases, of course, which CO2 isn’t. Very much isn’t, and, yes, the speed of sound in CO2 is somewhat pressure/density dependent.

      I believe the “two speeds of sound” phenomenon is due to the relaxation time of tuning fork style vibrations in the CO2 molecule. CO2’s specific heat, (Which influences the speed of sound.) is different over very short periods than longer periods, so that above a certain frequency the effective specific heat, and thus speed of sound, is different.

    • Could some Hoberman spheres with elastics/springs be dropped to roll around to points of interest and stop there?

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