MarsFlyer Demonstrator - HADD-I

Watch the video

Challenge: NASA's Langley Research Center was developing the MarsFlyer HADD-I – an experimental subscale prototype of an aircraft that may one day fly above Mars collecting information about Mars' atmosphere, surface and interior. The aircraft needed to be able to unfold its wings in flight and test fly in an atmosphere similar to Mars. Athena Technologies, now Rockwell Collins, was asked to provide the flight control and navigation system for the MarsFlyer.

Solution: We implemented our miniature flight control system, Athena 111, that includes GPS receiver, strap-down inertial measurement unit (rates gyros and accelerometers), air data system, 3-axis magnetometer, processor, memory, power supply, and servo drivers in one compact, two-pound package. Our Athena family of products uses a sophisticated Kalman filter and our patented "Feedback LTI'zation" algorithms to provide guidance and control over a wide range of operating conditions.

Results: In September of 2002, the MarsFlyer was launched from a helium balloon. The aircraft's wings and tail were folded to allow packaging in a planetary heat shield. Ninety minutes later the balloon released the MarsFlyer at an altitude of 100,900 feet (31 km) – an atmosphere similar to Mars. The MarsFlyer successfully unfolded and descended on a 93-minute, fully autonomous descent. The airplane was successfully controlled throughout the flight by the Athena 111. We continued to work with NASA on the next generation MarsFlyer HADD-II.