Karman Space & Defense to Build Mars Parachute System
The parachute mortar will support NASA’s SkyFall mission to deploy three ice-searching helicopters by November 2028.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Space
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NASA has selected Karman Space & Defense to develop the parachute deployment mortar for its upcoming SkyFall mission to Mars. The mission, currently in the development stage, will utilize three autonomous helicopters to study Martian weather and subsurface ice.
Why it matters
The development of reliable atmospheric entry systems is critical for future robotic exploration of the Martian surface. This mission aims to map subsurface ice deposits, which could provide key data for evaluating future exploration resources.
The parachute deployment mortar is designed to initiate the deceleration sequence for the spacecraft upon atmospheric entry. The mission relies on this deployment to enable the landing of three helicopters, which will be equipped with ground-penetrating radar to scan for ice.
The players
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The primary research center for the robotic exploration of the solar system, specializing in spacecraft development and mission operations.
Karman Space & Defense
An aerospace manufacturing firm providing complex components for space exploration, leveraging 50 years of industry experience.
The details
The parachute deployment mortar functions as a mechanical firing system that ejects the parachute into the Martian atmosphere at a precise velocity to slow the craft. During the descent, this system must withstand extreme thermal and mechanical stresses before releasing the hardware required to deploy the three helicopters. Once on the surface, these helicopters will utilize ground-penetrating radar—a remote sensing method that transmits electromagnetic pulses into the ground to detect subsurface structures—to locate ice deposits.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Karman Space & Defense was selected for the NASA contract.
November 2028: NASA is targeting a launch window for the SkyFall mission.
The Tech Race
The SkyFall mission represents a shift in Martian exploration architecture, moving toward multi-vehicle aerial platforms rather than single, stationary landers. This effort builds on the precedent established by the Mars Exploration Program to increase surface mobility for subsurface resource characterization.
The mission hardware remains in development, with no immediate impact on commercial or consumer sectors. Observers should track the November 2028 launch window for final mission readiness.
The takeaway
The SkyFall mission highlights the increasing demand for specialized, rapid-deployment hardware in Mars exploration. Watch for the November 2028 launch target as the primary benchmark for the successful integration of Karman’s parachute systems.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in off-world infrastructure on the Space section.
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