NASA's SkyFall Mars Helicopters to Use Flexible 'Capes' to Hunt for Subsurface Ice

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed a miniaturized ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system for the upcoming SkyFall mission to Mars. The technology allows a trio of mini rotorcraft to detect shallow subsurface water ice, a critical resource for future human exploration.

The radar system utilizes flexible Vivaldi antennae that resemble tiny capes, designed to survey the Martian ground up to 16 feet (5 meters) below the surface. Each antenna weighs 5 ounces (142 grams) and is constructed from a durable blend of polyester, Vectran, and flexible fiberglass tape springs. To ensure reliability in the harsh Martian environment, JPL conducted tests in its Environmental Test Laboratory, confirming the antennae can withstand more than 200 simulated landings without losing functionality.

The Evolution of Martian Flight

The SkyFall mission builds on the legacy of the Ingenuity helicopter, which first demonstrated that powered flight was possible within the thin Martian atmosphere. While Ingenuity served primarily as a technology demonstrator, SkyFall is engineered for targeted scientific discovery. Specifically, the mission aims to map shallow ice deposits that remain invisible to orbiting spacecraft, as orbital radar lacks the resolution necessary to detect these near-surface features.

According to Adrian Tang, SkyFall’s ground-penetrating radar lead instrument scientist at JPL, flying close to the ground is the only viable method for detecting shallow subsurface ice remotely. This proximity requires the hardware to be exceptionally resilient. Christine Gebara, the mission's ground-penetrating radar mechanical lead at JPL, noted that the Vivaldi antennae must bend out of the way during landing—even when hitting rocks—and then spring back into their original position upon takeoff to ensure accurate data collection.

Implications for Human Exploration

Identifying shallow subsurface ice is a strategic priority for the future of crewed missions to Mars. Such deposits could be processed on-site to provide astronauts with essential drinking water and breathable oxygen. Furthermore, this ice could be converted into rocket fuel, significantly reducing the mass required for return journeys to Earth. Beyond resource extraction, mapping the ground composition is vital for ensuring the safety of future landing sites for human crews.

Mission Timeline

NASA plans to launch the SkyFall mission in 2028. The rotorcraft will travel to Mars aboard the Space Reactor-1 Freedom, which will be the first interplanetary spacecraft powered by nuclear fission. Once deployed, the three helicopters will begin their survey of the Martian subsurface to locate the ice deposits necessary for sustainable human presence on the Red Planet.