On October 22, 2024, researchers at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, successfully tested the latest version of the atmospheric detector.The probe's design was inspired by NASA's 1960s research on lifting body aircraft, which generate lift through their shape rather than their wings, and could provide a more efficient and economical way to collect data on other planets. Tests confirmed that the detector's unique shape functioned as expected.

On October 22, 2024, a quadcopter remote-controlled aircraft released an atmospheric probe model over Rogers Dry Lake, a flight area adjacent to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The detectors are designed and manufactured at the center. Image credit: NASA/Kara Thomas

NASA plans more ambitious tests in the future.

Dell-Reed Secondary Flight Research Laboratory Chief Engineer Derek Abramson (left) and Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems pilot Justin Link carry a model of the atmospheric detector and a quadcopter remotely piloted aircraft to position themselves for the October 24, 2024 flight. Detector principal investigator John Bodsky (right) and cameraman Jacob Shaw watch preparations. Once aloft, the quadcopter released the probe over Rogers Dry Lake, a flight area adjacent to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The detectors are designed and manufactured at the center. Image credit: NASA/Steve Freeman

The probe was released from a quadcopter remotely piloted aircraft flying over Rogers Dry Lake near NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. "I'm ecstatic," said John Bodylski, principal investigator for NASA's Armstrong Atmosphere Probe. "It was completely stable in flight. We will look at releasing it from a higher altitude to allow it to fly longer and demonstrate more maneuvers."

Compiled from /scitechdaily