NASA Is Developing a Mars Helicopter That Could Land Itself From Orbit (newscientist.com) 17
Longtime Slashdot reader MattSparkes writes: NASA is working on plans to send another, much larger helicopter to Mars than Ingenuity. The "Chopper" craft would land itself after "screaming into" the planet's atmosphere at speed, before covering several kilometers a day while carrying scientific equipment. It would probably be the most graceful arrival on the red planet of any lander yet.
Maybe be a little more considerate of the locals (Score:2, Funny)
The "Chopper" craft would land itself after "screaming into" the planet's atmosphere at speed.
And then people wonder why martians never talk to us.
Re: (Score:1)
Martians are rocks. We started war with them when we started hitting them with lasers and drills.
screaming! (Score:2)
I can identify with the screming into the atmosphere bit, less so with the graceful landing.
Re: screaming! (Score:2)
"Slightly thinner"? "Relativistic speeds?" Is this sarcasm?
Re: screaming! (Score:2)
If you have a good enough clock, a leisurely stroll is relativistic speed.
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Re: (Score:1)
Science writers shouldn't anthropomorphize robot probes. The probes told me they don't like that.
The Roton rides again? (Score:2)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik... [wikipedia.org]
If I were the God-King of the American Mars program (and not just space astronomy), I'd be a little less ambitious for the next mission and maybe start with a bigger helicopter on a conventional lander/rover platform before I go all-in for the helicopter for the reentry.
It's ready to go ... (Score:2)
It's already been designed with build instructions [origamiway.com].
Also, define "land". :-)
Take that SouthAfrkianManBad! (Score:2)
We'll land from orbit while you do your fancy belly flop. /s
Will it be designed... (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
Trump replied, "My probes won't 'scream'! That's woke faggy shit. My probes go WaaaHoooo! all the way down until they land, bing bing, bong bong, like American probes should!"
Paywalled! (Score:1)
Nuke the paywall from orbit to be sure.
grumblegrumble
Re: (Score:2)