On April 19, 2021, Ingenuity became the first helicopter to fly on Mars at Jezero Crater, completing a total of 72 flights by the end of its mission. The success of Ingenuity resulted in various research efforts to further explore Mars via vertical flight, including two optimized Ingenuity-sized helicopters proposed to retrieve samples for the 2028 Mars Sample Return mission. To aid in the design process for the two proposed Sample Retrieval Helicopters, both heritage and optimized, increased diameter rotors were tested at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the 25-ft Space Simulator. Three test campaigns were performed using the Ingenuity rotors and optimized Sample Retrieval Helicopter (SRH) rotors for several rotor speeds, densities, configurations, and collectives to identify performance limitations. These three test campaigns included the Ingenuity Engineering Design Model 1 (EDM-1) with and without a cruciform box, Transonic Rotor Test (TRT) rig, and SRH Dual Rotor Test (DRT). Experimental setup, test matrix, data processing, data quality, and performance results for EDM-1, TRT, and DRT campaigns are presented and discussed. Experimental results from the test campaigns will aid in future experimental methods and validation efforts for planetary rotorcraft exploration.
Presented by:
Dr. Natasha Lydia Schatzman has worked at NASA Ames Research Center in the Aeromechanics Office for over 15 years and was the first Ames NASA Pathways Intern, paving the way for others. Dr. Schatzman has immersed herself in NASA’s mission to aid in the future of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and the design, testing, and analysis of planetary vehicles. Most recently, she was awarded the 2025 Waves of Change Rising Technology Star Award, VFS Alex Stoll Award, and the VFS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter’s Velkoff Award for Outstanding Technical Paper. Dr. Natasha Schatzman truly believes that if we want to innovate, progress, and advance technology, then we must inspire, mentor, and transfer knowledge responsibly for the future! She has mentored over 60 students since 2008 in the Aeromechanics Office at NASA Ames, who have gone on to become leaders in academia, industry, and government and has reached thousands with her outreach efforts.
Attendance is free. Registration is required. Purchase food tickets (pizza at Hacker Dojo, 855 Maude Avenue, Mountain View) by noon on day of event. There will also be a live stream for those who want to attend remotely.
https://aiaa-sf.org/event/mars-sample-return-helicopter-testing/