Blade Shape Optimization of Mars Helicopter Exploring Pit Craters

Pit craters on Mars are assumed to be used as manned exploration bases and it is highly possible that life signature would be discovered there since its temperature is appropriate and it is less affected by radiation. Regarding pit crater exploration, helicopter which can climb and descend quickly is expected to be utilized. This paper introduces blade shape optimization of Mars helicopter exploring pit craters. Definition of a mission, selection of aircraft types, conceptual design, optimization of blade twist angle and airfoil, and rotor test are conducted. As a result, hexa-rotor which has robustness, resistance to gust, and fault tolerance is proposed. Moreover, it is confirmed that the mission can be accomplished, carrying instruments on the helicopter within payload weight. Hovering performance of the helicopter is improved by optimizing blade twisting angle and airfoil. And it is found that there is a good correlation between experiment and numerical simulation with respect to the helicopter's hovering performance.