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Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)
A CubeSat sized flying wing glider capable of science and terrain mapping missions on Mars. Designed to be much smaller, lighter, and cheaper than previous Mars airplane concepts. Applies PRANDTL bell lift distribution for stability and configuration simplicity with no tail and no vertical surfaces.
The unique flight conditions of flying at a very low temperature, density, and pressure. Being a secondary payload for a Mars mission and fitting in a CubeSat greatly constrains mass and volume budget. In order to have reliable laminar flow and experimental airfoil data, need to increase Reynolds number as much as possible (current target Re=20,000). Need to remain subsonic and keep wing loading low. Extremely harsh temperatures for both Earth and Mars flights, must insulate/heat batteries and electronics. Flight testing requires telemetry and broadcasting systems required for much larger vehicles, miniaturization work underway.
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