A research team from the School of Astronautics at Harbin Institute of Technology in the Chinese mainland has developed an air-ground dual-purpose unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) weighing only 300 grams, roughly the weight of an apple. This lightweight, energy-efficient drone shows promising potential for future Mars exploration missions.
The UAV is designed to take off at any time, navigate through obstacles with ease, and boasts superb endurance, according to the researchers. These features are crucial for the scientific exploration of Mars, as they allow for greater flexibility and sustainability in harsh extraterrestrial environments.
The development of this advanced UAV underscores the significant strides being made in aerospace technology within Asia. The team emphasized the vital significance of their work in advancing the capabilities of Mars exploration, potentially paving the way for more sophisticated missions in the years to come.
Reference(s):
China develops lightweight energy-efficient drone for Mars exploration
cgtn.com
