The significance of the first aerodynamic flight on another planet

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Steve3007
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The significance of the first aerodynamic flight on another planet

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I expect most people will at least be aware that a small drone-like helicopter has now made three successful flights over the surface of the planet Mars. I've been following it with interest. It contains a small fragment of the wing fabric from the aircraft designed by the Wright Brothers to make the first (recorded) controlled, powered aerodynamic flight over the surface of Earth.

Do you think there is some Icarus-like special significance in human psychology about aerodynamic flight (flight which uses wings to push against air, as opposed to, say, rocket powered flight) which makes this first a particularly significant one?

I've read that if sealed environments were ever created on the moon containing air at Earth sea-level pressure, the 1/6 gravity there would mean that humans with wings strapped to their arms would have sufficient strength to fly using their own muscle power. Would you like to do that?
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LuckyR
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Re: The significance of the first aerodynamic flight on another planet

Post by LuckyR »

Steve3007 wrote: April 28th, 2021, 11:44 am I expect most people will at least be aware that a small drone-like helicopter has now made three successful flights over the surface of the planet Mars. I've been following it with interest. It contains a small fragment of the wing fabric from the aircraft designed by the Wright Brothers to make the first (recorded) controlled, powered aerodynamic flight over the surface of Earth.

Do you think there is some Icarus-like special significance in human psychology about aerodynamic flight (flight which uses wings to push against air, as opposed to, say, rocket powered flight) which makes this first a particularly significant one?

I've read that if sealed environments were ever created on the moon containing air at Earth sea-level pressure, the 1/6 gravity there would mean that humans with wings strapped to their arms would have sufficient strength to fly using their own muscle power. Would you like to do that?
The issue that blew my mind was that Mars only has an atmosphere 1% as dense as the earth's, yet the rotor blades can find enough purchase to get the thing off the ground. Here's to engineering.

As to human powered flight, there's a guy in France who does that now (using helium balloons to make you neutrally bouyant) and fitting you with a small ornithopter.
"As usual... it depends."
Steve3007
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Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm

Re: The significance of the first aerodynamic flight on another planet

Post by Steve3007 »

LuckyR wrote:The issue that blew my mind was that Mars only has an atmosphere 1% as dense as the earth's, yet the rotor blades can find enough purchase to get the thing off the ground. Here's to engineering.
Yes! Very fast and light rotor blades but still amazing to demonstrate that flight is possible in that rarefied atmosphere, only marginally offset by the lower gravity. When they did the testing on Earth, in a big container of Mars-like atmosphere, I thought the solution to simulating Martian gravity (essentially, attaching a piece of string to the top of it and pulling) was quite funny in being a simple solution to a problem.
As to human powered flight, there's a guy in France who does that now (using helium balloons to make you neutrally bouyant) and fitting you with a small ornithopter.
Interesting. That concept of hybrid flight (part lighter-than-air and part aerodynamic) has also been pursued by a company called Hybrid Air Vehicles. Airships that add to the lift using aerodynamics. I'm not sure if they're in business any more though. Airships were no doubt a lovely way to fly (aside from occasionally being burnt to death when they were filled with hydrogen), but not practical if you're in London and you have a meeting in New York tomorrow morning!
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LuckyR
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Re: The significance of the first aerodynamic flight on another planet

Post by LuckyR »

The one in France is an attraction where you can experience it yourself. Google Voler en aéroplume
"As usual... it depends."
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