For the first time in over 30 years, NASA has no firm plans for new Mars landers or rovers, pivoting instead to aerial drones. The Sky Fall mission, targeting launch as early as late 2028, will deploy a fleet of three helicopters alongside the $2.1 billion Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom mission. SR-1 Freedom aims to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion using a repurposed Gateway lunar station module.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is partnering with Aero Vironment to co-design and co-manufacture the helicopters, building on the success of Ingenuity, which completed 72 flights before crashing in early 2024. The new helicopters will weigh 2.5 kilograms, feature upgraded rotors for heavier payloads, and carry scientific instruments including ground-penetrating radar to search for subsurface ice. Unlike Ingenuity, Sky Fall helicopters will communicate via orbiters rather than a rover base station.

Jeff Rodrian of Aero Vironment’s Mac Cready Works division emphasized the goal of creating a repeatable product line. Will Pomerantz noted the shift became necessary as Mars Sample Return plans changed, leaving no lander rides available. Development is underway on an aggressive schedule for projects that did not exist six months ago.