A lightweight sailplane designed to gather data from Mars has been developed by American researchers. To operate for days at a time, the nonmotorized aircraft uses natural wind patterns around Mars.

The plane has a variety of sensors, including flight, temperature, and gas sensors, as well as cameras, and its purpose is to gather data about the atmosphere and physical structures of the Red Planet.

In partnership with Alexandre Kling, a research scientist with NASA, University of Arizona engineers developed a working model of the sailplane. The sailplane can be a valuable resource for NASA in helping the team explore an important area above the surface of Mars, according to Kling in a statement.

'The planetary boundary layer is a critical section of the atmosphere, which is the first few kilometers above the surface,' he explained. 'This is where all the exchanges between the surface and atmosphere take place.'

In her current position, Kling is a research scientist at the NASA Mars Climate Modeling Center. The center develops models that mimic the weather and climate behavior of Mars in the present and the past.

According to Kling, the area above the planet is where dust is picked up and sent into the atmosphere, as well as where gas elements are mixed. So far, there is very little information about this area. A recent study in the journal Aerospace describes the researchers' progress on the sailplane.

As of now, eight active spacecraft orbit Mars, and three rover vehicles are exploring its surface. However, these research vehicles are not capable of collecting data about the surface area to the north and south.

The Ingenuity helicopter has been tested on Mars. It has been successful so far. And it can perform operations like sailplanes. However, the experimental helicopter can only fly for about 12 meters and only a few minutes at a time.

“Other technologies have been heavily constrained by energy,' says lead author Adrien Bouskela, a U of A doctoral student in mechanical engineering.

As a way to avoid using engine-powered vehicles on Mars, Bouskela's sailplane uses natural wind flow. The main question is: 'How can you fly for free? How can you use the wind that's already there?' Other research vehicles typically use energy from the sun and batteries.

A team of researchers says they have developed a lightweight, low-cost, wind-powered sailplane that has a three-and-a-half-meter wingspan. They said the plane is designed to primarily make use of vertical winds blowing over Mars.

A plane can also use a technique called dynamic soaring, which involves repeatedly crossing boundaries between different air masses of varying strength. This is a common wind pattern on Mars, according to engineers.

Currently, Mars explorers are primarily focused on capturing images and data on flat, sandy surfaces. Taking advantage of the way wind patterns shift around geological formations like canyons and volcanoes would allow sailplanes to explore new areas.

A balloon has been attached to the sailplane, which has been tested. Researchers will take the sailplane to about 4,500 meters this summer. Their research will also include mathematical modeling based on Mars climate data for flight plans.