On October 22, 2024, the latest iteration of an atmospheric probe developed by researchers at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California successfully completed a test flight. Building on NASA’s 1960s research Body lifting aircraftUsing the shape of an airplane for lift instead of wings, the concept could offer future scientists a potentially better and more economical way to collect data on other planets. The test demonstrated the nature of the investigation tasks.
An atmospheric probe flew after being released from a remotely piloted quad-rotor aircraft over Rogers Dry Lake, a flight area adjacent to NASA Armstrong. “I’m excited,” said John Budelsky, principal investigator for Atmospheric Probes at NASA Armstrong. “It was completely stable in flight. We will consider releasing it from a higher altitude to allow it to fly longer and perform more maneuvers.”
See more photos of the test flight.
Photo credit: Steve Freeman