"blag-it" Forum
Industrial and scientific related topics => Astrophysics and space exploration => Topic started by: LISTR-93 on 13 March, 2021, 11:30:08 AM
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How can helicopter type drones fly on Mars considering that the Martian atmospheric pressure is far less than the Earth's? ???
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Don't know exactly but I'm guessing they would have ballast of some kind to increase the weight so as to compensate for the lower pressure. How much ballast/weight would be based on how much less the atmospheric pressure of Mars is.
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Yea I get that, I can see how that would 'hold it down', but isn't the atmospheric make-up completely different? I just don't see how a rotary wing would work in it even if added weight would keep it more stable...
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Yea I get that, I can see how that would 'hold it down', but isn't the atmospheric make-up completely different? I just don't see how a rotary wing would work in it even if added weight would keep it more stable...
This is a good point and considering that the martian atmosphere is over 95% carbon dioxide, it's difficult to see how any winged craft would work in it.
Admin
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Wondering the same. Maybe they discovered that rotary winged craft like a helicopter could work in different atmospheric compositions.
Global Moderator
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Wondering the same. Maybe they discovered that rotary winged craft like a helicopter could work in different atmospheric compositions.
Global Moderator
What would the rotor blades pull against though. Resistance would be too low I think, could be wrong...
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TBH I have no real idea, was just guessing they might have discovered that heli's can work in different atmospheres...
Global Moderator
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TBH I have no real idea, was just guessing they might have discovered that heli's can work in different atmospheres...
Global Moderator
Yep, could be that, but if I remember my science lessons a long time ago correctly, the martian atmosphere is also very hot during the daytime because it's so thin and during the night time it's well below zero, a bit like desert conditions multiplied many times. It would be like trying to fly a helicopter through a very hot or cold vacuum.
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Mars does have an atmosphere though, so not a vacuum.
Global Moderator
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A very thin one, compared to earth I'd say it's virtually a vacuum... ::)
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This is an interesting topic! Isn't there something in physics that says a rapidly rotating something will start moving in a straight line even in a vacuum or near-vacuum conditions? A bit like spinning top or gyro.
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Yes, I think there is. Well said!
Global Moderator
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This is an interesting topic! Isn't there something in physics that says a rapidly rotating something will start moving in a straight line even in a vacuum or near-vacuum conditions? A bit like spinning top or gyro.
A very interesting topic. Not sure as to the point though. Very near to or within a strong gravitational body or force they might move in a straight line initially in a vacuum, but don't know about deep space conditions. In any case, a spinning top or gyro isn't an aerofoil and visa-versa.
Admin
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This is it! A gyroscope or spinning top might move in a straight line if spinning very fast due to gravitational attraction, but they're not aerofoils so not the same as helicopter rotors!
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No, not the same at all. The former would move in a straight line initially if spinning very fast due to angular momentum, although in deep-space or zero gravity probably not, it would just stay fixed where it is. The latter needs an atmospheric density that's great enough to pull against.
Admin