Can we use aerial robots to explore Mars? | Dr Vishal Youhanna | TEDxCranfield University

Key Concepts

• Existential Reflections/Curiosity: The fundamental human drive to understand our place in the universe, fueling scientific and technological advancement.
• Multiplanetary Species: The long-term goal of establishing human presence on other planets for the survival and expansion of humanity.
• Venus vs. Mars Exploration: Comparative analysis of Earth's neighbors, highlighting why Mars became the primary focus despite Venus's proximity.
• Martian Environment: Key characteristics including its thin atmosphere (100 times thinner than Earth's), weaker gravity, extreme temperature swings, reddish iron-oxide dust, lack of global magnetic field, and potential for subsurface water/shelter (caves, lava tubes).
• "Seven Minutes of Terror": The critical, autonomous landing phase for Mars missions, complicated by thin atmosphere and communication delays.
• Mars Rovers (Perseverance, Curiosity): Mobile laboratories exploring the Martian surface, albeit slowly (e.g., Perseverance covering 34 km since 2021).
• Sample Return Mission: A top priority for space agencies to bring Martian samples back to Earth for detailed analysis.
• Ingenuity Helicopter: The first powered, controlled aircraft on another planet, completing 72 flights and proving the feasibility of Martian aerial exploration.
• Aerobots (Martian Aerial Robots): Advanced flying robots designed for faster, more extensive exploration of Mars.
• Mars Aerobot Design Thinking Matrix: A structured framework developed by the speaker to guide the design of Martian aerobots, considering mission type, autonomy, launch, power, aerobot type, and structure.
• Aerobot Types: Including fixed-wing, rotorcraft, hybrid, balloon, airship, hopper, and ornithopter.
• Aerobot Structures: Including rigid, foldable, inflatable, and morphing designs.

Introduction: The Drive of Curiosity and Existential Reflection

The speaker begins by recounting childhood "existential reflections" – profound thoughts about life, the universe, and reality – likening them to Elon Musk's "existential crisis." These moments of deep curiosity, rather than being a crisis, are presented as a fundamental human trait. This innate curiosity is a powerful motivator that "not only expands our understanding but also drives technology, fuels science, and inspires future generations." It fosters economic growth, job creation, and international collaboration, ultimately aiming for a sustainable human presence in space and the aspiration of humanity becoming a "multiplanetary species," crucial for long-term survival.

Planetary Exploration: Why Mars Over Venus?

While space travel is "literal rocket science," initial planetary exploration naturally focused on Earth's closest neighbors: Venus and Mars.

• Venus: The Hostile Twin

  • Initially a prime target, Venus is closer to Earth and often called its "twin."
  • However, exploration revealed a harsh reality: it is the hottest planet in the solar system with a thick, acidic atmosphere.
  • The longest a spacecraft has survived on its surface is a mere 2 hours, before being "crushed, corroded, and melted."
  • Venusian peculiarities include a day longer than its year, a sun that rises in the west and sets in the east (due to backward spin).
  • Despite early missions in the 1960s and hosting the first flying machine on another planet (Soviet balloon probes in 1985), discoveries made it clear that "Venus wasn't the future we were hoping for."

• Mars: The Manageable Neighbor

  • Attention shifted to Mars, which, while not easy to explore, is "manageable."
  • It is now the most explored planet after Earth.

Mars: A Closer Look at the Red Planet

• Environmental Characteristics:

  • Mars is about half the size of Earth with weaker gravity.
  • Its atmosphere is 100 times thinner than Earth's.
  • Despite differences, it exhibits Earth-like features: a day is approximately 24 hours, and it has seasons, clouds, and polar ice caps.
  • Extreme temperature swings are common; at the Martian equator at noon, "your feet will feel like summer and your head will feel like winter."
  • Billions of years ago, Mars lost its magnetic shield and much of its atmosphere, leading to water loss and exposure to harmful radiation.
  • Hope for future astronauts and potential microscopic life lies beneath the surface in caves and lava tubes.
  • Its characteristic reddish hue comes from "rusty iron dust covering its entire surface."

• Historical Misconceptions and Discoveries:

  • Early telescopic maps led to beliefs of "giant irrigation canals built by intelligent Martians."
  • NASA's Mariner missions in the 1960s dispelled these myths, revealing "massive canyons, extinct volcanoes, and global dust storms" capable of engulfing the planet.

• Landing Challenges:

  • Landing on Mars is "notoriously challenging" due to its thin atmosphere, which provides little deceleration for spacecraft.
  • Communication delays (up to 20 minutes one way) mean no human intervention is possible during descent, leading to the "seven minutes of terror" for mission operators.

The Evolution of Mars Exploration

Mars exploration has progressed significantly:

• From Orbiters to Rovers: Initial missions involved orbiters, followed by stationary landers, and eventually mobile rovers.
• Rovers' Pace: While advanced, rovers like Perseverance (covering 34 km since 2021) and Curiosity (similar distance since 2012) are slow, likened to "covering a marathon in a decade."
• Current NASA Goals and Future Human Missions:
  • NASA's Mars program focuses on looking for signs of life, studying climate and geology, and preparing for human explorers.
  • A top priority for over a decade has been "bringing samples back from Mars."
  • There's a "reformed goal of sending humans to Mars by the 2030s," stimulating global collaboration and technological innovation.

The Dawn of Martian Aviation: Ingenuity and the Need for Aerobots

The question arises: "how do we explore faster, smarter, and deeper than ever before?"

• Ingenuity's Success:

  • NASA tested aerial exploration with Ingenuity, the first helicopter on Mars, which arrived with the Perseverance rover in 2021.
  • Initially experimental and planned for only five flights, it completed 72 short flights, covering about 17 kilometers before retiring in 2024.
  • Ingenuity "proved that powered and controlled flight on Mars isn't science fiction; it's possible."
  • Advanced aerobots are seen as a "game changer" for rapidly mapping terrain and guiding rovers.

• Challenges in Designing Martian Aerobots:

  • Low Gravity: Beneficial as objects weigh less.
  • Thin Atmosphere: Makes generating lift extremely difficult, requiring fast-spinning, larger blades or wings for even small payloads.
  • Size Constraints: Aerobots must fit within small rocket capsules for transport.
  • Freezing Temperatures: Necessitate internal heating systems.
  • Communication Delays: Require "smart autonomy."
  • No Oxygen: Earth-like air-breathing engines are unviable.
  • Designing such systems requires "visionaries who understand Mars geography and climate."

A Historical Perspective on Martian Flight Concepts

The dream of flying on Mars is not new:

• 1950s: Wernher von Braun proposed Mars planes.
• Later Decades: Researchers explored fixed and foldable wing gliders designed to collect data for a few hours before crashing. These were fast and far-reaching but lacked hovering capabilities, second chances, and required long runways (which Mars lacks).
• 2000s Shift: Attention turned to vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles like rotorcraft (e.g., hexacopters), offering better control, stability, and versatility.
• Hybrid Designs: Aircraft with both wings and rotors emerged.
• Current Research: New studies are revisiting the potential of flying gliders.

The Mars Aerobot Design Thinking Matrix: A Framework for Innovation

The speaker introduces a "Mars Aerobot Design Thinking Matrix," developed based on existing literature, to provide structured decision-making for designing these complex machines.

• Core Questions:

  1. Disposable or Reusable Mission?
     • Reusable: Requires vertical takeoff, long-lasting power, and smart autonomy.
     • Disposable: Lighter and simpler, but must justify cost with significant scientific value.
  2. Rover-Reliant or Fully Solo?
     • Dependent: Can be smaller and lighter but is limited by the rover's speed and range. Pairing with faster ground robots like the "Mars dog" (being developed by NASA and Boston Dynamics) could offer new possibilities.
     • Independent: Carries its own power and communication systems, making it heavier and more complex but offering greater operational freedom and return.

• Key Design Decision Layers:

  • Launch Mechanism: Ground-launched or mid-air deployment.
  • Power Source: Solar or chemical fuel.
  • Aerobot Type:
    • Fixed-wing aircraft
    • Rotorcraft (e.g., helicopters)
    • Hybrid (combining fixed-wing and rotorcraft features)
    • Balloon or Airship
    • Hopper (jumps from surface to surface)
    • Futuristic concepts like Ornithopters (inspired by bird/insect flight).
  • Structure:
    • Rigid: Conventional solid structure.
    • Foldable: Designed to fit into small capsules.
    • Inflatable: Expands by filling with air after landing.
    • Morphing: Wings or structure can change shape during flight to suit conditions.

The matrix helps "transform vague ideas into well-defined missions," with the optimal design depending on specific mission objectives: "where you want to go, what you want to learn, and how you plan to fly through the Martian skies."

Conclusion: The Future of Mars Exploration and a Shared Vision

The speaker emphasizes that "the story is still being written," and the next Martian aerobot could originate from established labs like NASA or even from individuals inspired by such possibilities ("someone from this room"). Exploration is fundamentally about "inspiring new questions." Drawing a parallel to terrestrial travel, the speaker quotes, "travel opens your mind, it broadens your vision, and you never return the same," suggesting the profound impact of interplanetary exploration. Concluding with a personal reflection, the speaker states, "the grass really is greener on Mars, not because it's easy, but because we are almost there." The final sentiment is one of shared optimism and impending breakthrough: "One more step and we are even more closer. Do you see what I see?"