NASA to Launch Three SkyFall Helicopters to Mars in 2028
The upcoming 2028 mission will deploy three advanced helicopters to explore Mars for subsurface water ice deposits.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Space
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NASA is set to launch its SkyFall mission in 2028, deploying three identical helicopters to the surface of Mars to search for water ice. Each vehicle is designed to operate independently and carry five specialized instruments.
Why it matters
The mission aims to gather crucial scientific data on Martian conditions while testing capabilities for potential human exploration of the planet. These findings are expected to bridge the gap between robotic surveying and future crewed landings.
The SkyFall mission features three helicopters, each carrying five instruments and a ground penetrating radar. The vehicles are designed for flight traverses between 125 miles and 185 miles during their mission window.
The players
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and aeronautics research.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
A federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech for NASA that focuses on robotic space exploration.
AeroVironment
A technology company based in Arlington, Virginia, that specializes in unmanned aerial systems and defense robotics.
The details
Developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and AeroVironment, the helicopters land under their own power after separating from the SR-1 Freedom spacecraft at 3,300 feet. The craft will utilize a Balloon Mode to drift with background winds while flying every other sol.
Timeline
August 2025: AeroVironment was selected to co-design the helicopters.
Early 2027: The first workshop on potential landing sites occurs.
Late 2027: The second workshop for landing site selection occurs.
2028: SR-1 Freedom spacecraft launch scheduled.
The Big Picture
The SkyFall mission scales up the technology demonstrated by the Ingenuity helicopter's 70-mission flight campaign at Jezero Crater. This transition shifts Mars exploration from single-unit experimental flights to multi-unit coordinated scientific surveying.
The mission's use of ground penetrating radar to map subsurface water ice could significantly lower the cost and risk of future human exploration. By demonstrating long-distance autonomous flight, the project establishes new technical standards for remote resource identification.
The takeaway
NASA's SkyFall project marks a transition toward multi-helicopter fleets capable of covering vast Martian distances. This mission provides a template for future robotic exploration by prioritizing both high-frequency observation and robust autonomous flight capabilities.
What happens next
A second workshop for landing site selection is scheduled for late 2027, followed by the planned SR-1 Freedom spacecraft launch in 2028.
Further reading
For more on upcoming exploration missions, visit the United States Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Space.
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