Performance Analysis and Data Processing for the Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 25-ft Space Simulator

Ingenuity became the first helicopter to fly on Mars and completed 72 flights. Success of Ingenuity resulted in various research efforts to further explore Mars via vertical flight, including the possible use of two optimized Ingenuity-sized helicopters to retrieve samples for the 2028 Mars Sample Return Mission (MSR). To aid in the design process for the two Sample Retrieval Helicopters (SRH), heritage and optimized Ingenuity rotors were tested at the NASA Jet Propul- sion Laboratory in the 25-foot Space Simulator. Three test campaigns were performed using the Ingenuity rotors and optimized SRH rotors for several rotor speeds, densities, configurations, and collectives to identify performance limi- tations. These three test campaigns included the Engineering Design Model 1 (EDM-1) with and without a cruciform box, Transonic Rotor Test (TRT) rig, and Dual Rotor Test (DRT). Experimental setup, test matrix, data processing, data quality, and the performance results for EDM-1, TRT, and DRT campaigns are presented and discussed. Exper- imental results from the test campaigns will aid in future experimental methods and validation efforts for planetary rotorcraft exploration.