NASA contracts for autonomous Mars helicopters for SkyFall mission.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory awarded AeroVironment a contract for three autonomous Mars helicopters for the SkyFall mission, launching in late 2028. This marks the first mission to deploy a team of instrument-carrying helicopters on Mars, demonstrating autonomous atmospheric entry and powered descent without a traditional lander or rover. This approach could revolutionize future planetary exploration by enabling access to challenging terrains.