Mars Flier Prototype

SEWilco writes "BBC News reports that a full-scale prototype of a Mars flier will be built. The ARES glider will unfold in midair for a mission which may cover 850 km (528 miles). I wonder if its huge wings would allow it to be tossed back in the air by a storm in that thin air, although probably not by "winds of a few m/sec"."

Comments

What it can do

[Gortbusters.org]

• Simultaneous, in-situ, regional-scale measurement of the Mars atmosphere, surface, and interior
• Bridges critical scale and resolution measurement gaps of remote sensing and surface exploration
• Scout for future sample return and surface mission site selection
• Magnetic survey with spatial resolution two orders of magnitude higher than provided by Mars Global Surveyor, with ability to resolve the crustal magnetism source structure
• High-resolution measurements that cannot be achieved from orbit
• Geologic diversity from regional-scale coverage that cannot be achieved by surface missions
• In-situ atmospheric science
• Ability to traverse terrain inaccessible to surface vehicles
• Ability to precisely target science features
• Ability to execute a controlled, pre-planned aerial survey pattern
• Measurement of vertical surface structure not visible from orbit
• Robust performance with regard to atmospheric uncertainties

Re:using air currents to regain altitude

[KrispyKringle]

Aside from the obvious comment that NASA surely knows what they are doing (more of a conversation stopper than anything), I think you miss a few points.

First, in reference to your comments on structural and weight limitations, the actual force born by the wings is far less, since there is far less gravity. In addition, while the thinner air is certainly a hindrance to how much lift can be acheived with the same area, it also means that the stresses that must be absorbed from turbulence and the like are probably a lot less.

In reference to unfolding wings, these have, I recall, been tested on Earth, so if they work in our dense air and stronger gravity, they should be fine on Mars. If I knew a link I'd post it; you can probably find more with google.

Finally, you talk a lot about control system algorithms. However, there are a number of reasons that Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles are simpler when flying than when driving. There are a couple of relevent articles in this month's Popular Science, as well as a very good one in the New York Times magazine from a few weeks ago that I just finished reading. If you think about it, the amount of leeway available in the air is far greater than that on the ground; whereas a car driver must maintain precision navigation within a few feet on a road and avoid obstacles and the like, a pilot can, during cruise, simply trim out the plane's elevators, maintain a proper heading, and get by without even an autopilot. If he drifts off by a few hundred feet altitude or a few degrees heading, it doesn't really matter. This is why we already have numerous UAV's in the air in the military (such as the well-known Predator drone) and why Boeing 777s and the new Airbus 330 (isn't that it?) both can supposedly fly without even needing a pilot, in an emergency.

In comparison, DARPA is working with a few contractors to develop UAV ground vehicles, but is really nowhere near production stage.

My knowledge about gliders specifically is limited, my personal experience being limited to powered planes, but I would imagine that with a fair level of accuracy, finding thermals and gaining altitude should not be all that difficult, since most of the control software already exists in some form or another.