{"id":"f-73cd9b4b27-035d1c12-b8b6-5c88-8314-ce80374b7b32","title":"Martian winds can power future rovers","description":"Scientists have estimated near-surface wind speeds on Mars using the orientation data of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, as it was buffeted. The research indicates that it is feasible for the next generation of Mars rovers to be powered by wind.","timestamp":1772437769,"category":"technology","headline":"Martian winds can power future rovers","modifiedHeadline":"Mars Winds May Power Future Rovers","subCategories":["scid_5481d7c6"],"subcategoriesName":["Space Exploration"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"b162fe12-9cac-4117-a958-cc0604a457de","bundleTitle":"Science Simplified","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"472","fcSummary":"nasa's ingenuity helicopter data reveals unexpectedly strong mars winds (up to 25 m/s), exceeding previous models. this discovery bolsters the potential for wind-powered systems on future rovers, offering backup energy during dust storms and enabling innovative designs like \"tumbleweed\" rovers for long-distance travel. scientists are also exploring hypersonic wind energy for spacecraft and wider rover deployments.","summary":"Mars rover power via wind is feasible! Ingenuity data reveals stronger winds than expected, boosting prospects for future exploration.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/astrology/IN/en/news9/f-73cd9b4b27-035d1c12-b8b6-5c88-8314-ce80374b7b32","sourceUrl":"https://www.news9live.com/science/martian-winds-can-power-future-rovers-2938097","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/x0_apCxKC3a0.webp","content":"

New Delhi: Recent research based on attitude or orientation data captured from NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter reveals near-surface winds reaching up

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to 25 m/s at altitudes between three and 24 metres, far exceeding prior model predictions of 15 m/s. These findings were derived from flights one to five, 59 and 61, and indicate stronger and more variable winds than expected. The discovery bolstrs prospects for wind-powered systems on future Mars rovers. Mars has a tenuous, wispy atmosphere, only one per cent the density of Earth, but the winds are of sufficient velocity to enable electricity generation via turbines.

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An inflatable Tumbleweed rover being tested. (Image Credit: NASA/JPL).

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Such power generation systems can serve as a backup to solar power, especially during dust storms that can reduce solar output by up to 70 per cent. Previously, researchers had examined the feasibility of supplemental energy generation for crewed missions using wind, and had calculated that optimised turbines could produce up to 1kW of power during storms, sufficient for small rovers or habitats. Scientists have also proposed hybrid solar-wind designs that integrate structures that have both wind and solar harvesters. For propulsion, wind-driven ‘tumbleweed’ rovers, that are spherical robots with sails can traverse hundreds of kilometres passively. Tests in 2025 of Tumbleweed rover prototypes showed them moving at winds as slow as nine to ten metres per second. These rovers could cover 422 km in 100 sols, or Mars days.

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Upper Atmosphere Concepts

Scientists from JPL have suggested harnessing hypersonic winds during aerobraking manoeuvres, where the spacecraft sheds its velocity as it enters the Martian atmosphere, to charge up batteries for deployable probes. Combined with nuclear options, wind power could extend the lifespans of rovers, and enable swarms for wide-area exploration, reducing reliance on solar arrays that are prone to dust accumulation, and provide increasingly less energy with the passage of time. Crater rims are ideal to maximise exposure to winds.

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","readDurationInMinutes":"3","author":{"name":"News9","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/png/0e26af53-6a49-4ee1-a63d-25161b714ad5.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[{"measurementId":"G-EQBYL0ZYL8","type":"GA"},{"measurementId":"33425927","type":"COMSCORE","partnerName":"glance"}],"pointerSummary":["NASA's Ingenuity helicopter data reveals unexpectedly strong Martian winds (up to 25 m/s).","New research shows winds are faster than predicted, potentially enabling wind-powered rovers.","Future Mars missions could use wind turbines for backup power & deploy \"tumbleweed\" rovers."],"tags":["MarsExploration","IngenuityHelicopter","MarsRovers","WindPower","NASA","PlanetaryScience","RenewableEnergy","SpaceTechnology","TumbleweedRovers","JPL"],"redirectionEnabled":false,"consent":true}

Martian winds can power future rovers

SUMMARY