Mars planetary insights and design framework for future in-situ aerial robotic missions

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for designing and deploying aerial robots (aerobots) to revolutionise Mars exploration. The Martian environment, characterised by a tenuous atmosphere, extreme thermal variations, and diverse, often inaccessible terrain, presents fundamental challenges to the operational range and efficiency of conventional rovers and landers. Aerobots can overcome many of these limitations by enabling rapid regional surveys, accessing high-priority sites beyond rover reach, and supporting human exploration through environmental reconnaissance. Drawing on insights from past planetary missions, including the Ingenuity helicopter, the framework integrates planetary science constraints with aerospace engineering principles to address aerodynamic performance, structural integrity, autonomy, and environmental resilience. Central to this work is the Mars Aerobot Design Thinking Matrix, a decision-support tool that links mission objectives to testable engineering requirements, enabling systematic trade-off analysis across configuration, energy strategy, and operational margins. The proposed framework aims to guide the development of aerobots capable of sustained and scientifically productive operations in the unique conditions of Mars.