With NASA’s announcement the other week about its plan to use helicopters again on Mars, at least we know we will have something to augment the two remaining rovers.
The Mars rovers continue to do a bang-up job on the Martian surface, but the bangs are also taking a toll on the tires of at least one rover (as shown above). After 14 years of service, the Curiosity Mars rover has needed some mission modifications and software updates to avoid further damage to its tire tread. Fortunately, the Perseverance Mars rover is having no problems to date with its tires, meaning it should be fine until at least 2031.
In terms of a future Mars mission, NASA announced:
NASA will launch the Space Reactor‑1 Freedom, the first nuclear powered interplanetary spacecraft, to Mars before the end of 2028…When SR-1 Freedom reaches Mars, it will deploy the Skyfall payload of Ingenuity‑class helicopters to continue exploring the Red Planet.
You may remember the Ingenuity helicopter from its test on Mars between 2021 and 2024 when if flew 72 missions. The helicopter had accompanied NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover. The planned Skyfall mission will build on this success. You can see an video of these new helicopters here.
Having two rovers and multiple helicopters on the Martian surface later this decade should provide sufficient coverage for both ongoing science as well as scouting efforts for future missions to the planet.
In addition, the test of a nuclear powered spacecraft will give us some additional options for getting to the planet. The Space Reactor‑1 Freedom spacecraft involves the participation of the private sector – particularly Lanteris Space Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Busek. Notice no mention of SpaceX this time. That is a positive development in that we have many companies working on getting us to Mars, including Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Rocket Lab, and others, which is how it needs to continue going forward.
A grand plan for our expansion into space needs the support of many mission types, companies, and minds (as well as temperaments).
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