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NASA’s SkyFall Helicopters at Work (Artist’s Concept)

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Based on NASA News Releases · Aug 06, 2026

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing three SkyFall Mars helicopters, set to launch in late 2028, to expand aerial exploration capabilities on the Red Planet.

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NASA’s SkyFall Helicopters at Work (Artist’s Concept)
NASA News Releases — NASA
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This artist’s concept depicts NASA’s three SkyFall Mars helicopters collecting data while flying over the surface of the Red Planet.
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The green frequency waves emanating from the helicopters’ large antennas depict collection of subsurface radar data.
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The red beams depict collect near-infrared imagery data from regolith (crushed rock and dust) and other surface features.
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It also demonstrated how an aerial perspective can generate valuabledata by helping NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover team plan time-saving routes and choose locations for science-gathering.
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Each helicopter will carry four instruments, building on the success of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which completed 72 flights over nearly three years.
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The SkyFall helicopters are scheduled to launch aboard NASA’s Space Reactor-1 Freedom in late 2028, arriving at Mars in December of that year.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is advancing Mars exploration with SkyFall, a trio of helicopters designed to collect subsurface radar and near-infrared surface data. Each helicopter will carry four instruments, building on the success of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which completed 72 flights over nearly three years. Ingenuity demonstrated the value of aerial reconnaissance by assisting the Perseverance rover team in planning efficient routes and identifying science targets. SkyFall’s instruments will enable deeper subsurface analysis and enhanced surface mapping, offering new insights into Mars’ geology and potential habitability.

The SkyFall helicopters are scheduled to launch aboard NASA’s Space Reactor-1 Freedom in late 2028, arriving at Mars in December of that year. This mission marks a significant step beyond technology demonstration, transitioning to operational science support. The helicopters will operate independently of the Perseverance rover, conducting targeted surveys and reconnaissance flights. Their data will complement orbital observations and rover measurements, providing a multi-dimensional view of the Martian environment.

Managed by JPL, the SkyFall project involves collaboration with AeroVironment of Arlington, Virginia, which co-designed and co-manufactured the Ingenuity helicopter. AeroVironment will again contribute to the development of SkyFall’s rotorcraft, leveraging expertise from the earlier mission. The project aligns with NASA’s broader Mars Exploration Program, which is overseen by JPL on behalf of the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The program continues to expand scientific understanding through robotic missions.

SkyFall’s primary objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of sustained aerial operations on Mars while gathering high-resolution data from previously inaccessible areas. The helicopters’ ability to traverse rugged terrain and scout ahead of rovers could significantly enhance mission efficiency. By integrating subsurface radar and surface imagery, SkyFall aims to uncover new details about Mars’ geological history and potential resources, supporting future human and robotic exploration efforts.

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