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China is developing a Mars helicopter — and it looks extremely similar to NASA’s Ingenuity.
A prototype of the “Mars surface cruise drone” was unveiled on Wednesdayby China’s National Space Science Center(CNNSC).
The announcement was spotted by SpaceNews’ Andrew Jones, who described the chopper as “more Familiarity than Ingenuity.”
Behold: A prototype “Mars cruise drone”, to be fitted with a spectrometer for future exploration missions. More Familiarity than Ingenuity, but more the merrier.https://t.co/YfzMi0CNi2pic.twitter.com/HRHtBYzpP7
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI)September 1, 2021
My Mandarin’s a little rusty, but according to Google Translate, the chopper is equipped with a microspectrometer.
CNNSC didn’t reveal the purpose of the system, butspectroscopyhas a rich history on Mars. Spectrometers have previously provided evidence of bothflowing liquid waterandmethaneon the planet.
Spectrometers are also attached to two rovers that are currently exploring Mars: China’s Zhurong and NASA’sPerseverance.
Zhurong is equipped with alaser-induced spectrometerthat’s investigating the make-up of rocks.
Perseverance, meanwhile, has two of the instruments: anX-ray fluorescence spectrometerthat’s analyzing Martian surface materials, anda UV spectrometerthat’s searching for signs of past microbial life.
The objectives of China’s new Mars drone, however, remain unclear for now. Whatever they are, the rotorcraft will have big footsteps to follow.
Its lookalike,Ingenuity, has long surpassedNASA’s initial goalof completing five test flights. The chopper has now completed a dozen trips, while capturingstunningimagesof the red planet en-route.
NASA saysthe helicopter is paving the way for future rotorcraft missions on Mars. The image of China’s new prototype suggests that may well be the case.
HT —SpaceNews.
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Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.
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