A prototype built to test Extreme Access Flyer systems in different environments. (Credit: NASA/Swamp Works) NASA plans to fly drones where Federal Aviation Administration rules no longer apply. Engineers at Swamp Works, part of NASA and the U.S. military’s Office of Naval Research, have designed and built a drone that could someday scout Mars, moons or asteroids in our solar system. Called Extreme Access Flyers, these space-worthy drones could help scientists gather data in places your traditional rover just can’t reach.
It’s hard to debate the Mars Curiosity rover’s legendary status, but there are some things it can’t do. Like our own planet, Mars features rough, jagged terrain with crater walls angled at 30 degrees or more. Curiosity can’t explore these double-black-diamond locations. So researchers are designing drones that could simply fly over these obstacles. By the looks of it, Swamp Works’ drone looks a lot like the quadcopters we ...
