Future of Planetary Exploration: Bioinspired Drones for Low Density Martian Atmosphere

Abstract

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-1421.vid Flapping-wing flight mechanisms, bird-inspired hovering, insect-inspired propulsion, and navigation are becoming widespread examples of bio-inspired solutions in aerial robotics. Bio-inspiration can lead to new capabilities and unique approaches to current problems in planetary exploration or exploration in low-density environments like the Martian atmosphere. The atmosphere of Mars is exceedingly thin and dusty, consisting primarily of carbon dioxide, with traces of argon and nitrogen and water and oxygen. The average surface pressure range of Mars's atmosphere is 0.4–0.87 KPa or about 1% of the pressure at sea level on Earth. Because of Mars's thin atmosphere and greater distance from the Sun, the surface temperatures range from around 140°C in the winter to around 〖20〗^°C in the summer. Even though Mars has a lower density than Earth, due to the importance of Martian study, the design of a drone that can fly on the planet has gained much importance. This study aims to develop and investigate new robotic platform designs based on the bioinspired flapping flight for low-dense atmospheres in simulated chamber conditions. The soft robotics and novel materials, adaptive and morphing design, bio-inspired control, multisensory navigation, obstacle avoidance, environmental interaction, hovering, machine learning applications, experimental methods, testing, and demonstration of new applications will be advantageous in the future planetary exploration programs.