The US space agency NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is sending a helicopter to the Red Planet as part of the next Mars 2020 rover mission. It is scheduled to land on Mars in February 2021 and undertake several autonomous flights lasting up to 90 seconds in the first 30 days of the mission. The helicopter promises groundbreaking insights for future scientific and exploratory journeys to Mars. For example, the drone could serve as a flying eye for rovers in the future, exploring the surroundings and finding the best route in each case.

Energy-efficient components for extreme conditions

The flight models of the DCX 10 S motors, which control the inclination of the rotor blades. © Maxon Motor

It takes an enormous feat of engineering to make the drone fly. This is because the thin atmosphere on Mars is roughly comparable to the conditions that prevail on Earth at an altitude of 30 km. The helicopter is therefore particularly light (1.8 kg) and can only carry small batteries. This requires the components used to be extremely energy-efficient. The drives from Maxon Motor have already proven themselves in several Mars missions and are also used in the JPL helicopter. Six small motors from the DCX series with a diameter of 10 mm are responsible for controlling the inclination of the rotor blades and thus the steering.

The helicopter propulsion system is designed and built by AeroVironment, an expert in the construction of small aircraft. The specialists are working closely with Maxon engineers. After a year-long development phase, the recent NASA approval for the helicopter project is an additional motivation. "Being part of another pioneering Mars project makes us incredibly proud and happy," says Eugen Elmiger, CEO of Maxon Motor.

Temperature measurement of Mars with the aid of a DC motor

Maxon is currently involved in several Mars projects: for example, the European Space Agency's ExoMars rover - with more than 50 drives, including in the wheels, the drill head, the analysis unit and the camera mast. This project will also start in 2020, but much earlier - on November 26, 2018 - NASA's stationary InSight unit will land on the Red Planet to investigate seismic activity and the planet's core temperature. A powerful and robust DC motor from Maxon will drive the InSight measuring probe almost five meters deep into the Martian soil.