NASA to Launch Three Mars Helicopters in 2028 Mission
The SkyFall mission will deploy three autonomous craft to detect subsurface water ice, scaling up planetary aerial exploration.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Space
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NASA and AeroVironment are developing a trio of SkyFall helicopters for a 2028 mission to Mars. The vehicles will be released from the SR-1 Freedom spacecraft to investigate subsurface water ice.
Why it matters
The mission aims to expand aerial exploration of Mars, testing the utility of multi-vehicle fleets for both scientific analysis and site reconnaissance for future human exploration.
Each of the three autonomous helicopters carries five scientific instruments and navigation cameras. The craft are designed to execute flight paths every other sol, with a projected operational lifespan of at least six months.
The players
NASA
The United States federal agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics research, and planetary exploration.
AeroVironment
An Arlington-based firm specializing in unmanned aerial systems and tactical missile systems for defense and commercial use.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
A federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech that designs and operates robotic spacecraft for NASA.
The details
The helicopters are released from the SR-1 Freedom carrier spacecraft at an altitude of 3,300 feet and descend to land independently. Each vehicle features a specialized ground penetrating radar instrument to detect subsurface water ice. In addition to powered flight, the craft utilize a Balloon Mode to drift with Martian winds, allowing them to function as stationary atmospheric sensors.
Timeline
August 2025: AeroVironment was selected for vehicle co-design.
Early 2027: First workshop on landing sites takes place.
Late 2027: Second workshop for landing site selection occurs.
2028: Scheduled launch of the SR-1 Freedom spacecraft.
The Tech Race
The SkyFall mission marks a shift from the single-vehicle proof-of-concept tests conducted by the Ingenuity program at Jezero Crater. By deploying a three-helicopter fleet, NASA moves toward scalable, persistent aerial sensing for planetary science.
The 2028 mission remains a long-term research endeavor with no direct impact on current consumer technology or terrestrial workflows. Researchers and engineers will use the mission to evaluate the effectiveness of autonomous aerial platforms for mapping future human landing sites on Mars.
The takeaway
SkyFall represents the next phase of Martian aerial mobility, moving from isolated test flights to coordinated fleet operations. Observers should track the landing site selection process in 2027 to see which Martian terrains are targeted for sub-surface water detection.
Further reading
For broader context on current planetary exploration initiatives, visit the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Space.
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