NASA's next Mars helicopters tested beyond the speed of sound

NASA and JPL tested next-generation Mars helicopter rotors in a Mars-like simulator, pushing them beyond Mach 1.

The results are helping advance Skyfall, a mission planned to send three helicopters to Mars in December 2028.

The upgraded rotor design could boost lift, payload capacity, and science capability for future Mars exploration.

The work builds on lessons from Ingenuity and supports both robotic and eventual human missions to Mars.