10.27.15
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is working with Bye Aerospace to develop a unique aircraft to fill the gap between mapping and surveillance of Mars from orbital satellites and ground-based rovers.
The aircraft, known as the Mars SOLESA (solar electric survey aircraft), is an approach taken by Bye Aerospace allowing for closer investigation of the Martian surface with greater resolution and flexibility than the orbital satellites currently operating above the surface, but with far greater range and perspective than rovers.
In conjunction with solar power provided by Ascent Solar, the Mars SOLESA concept will enable the vehicle to fly through the Martian atmosphere, gathering pertinent and novel data along the way.
Ascent Solar PV enables daytime recharging of the SOLESA batteries. The fresh charge allows multiple series of flights. By flying at altitudes of a few hundred up to a few thousand feet above the Martian surface, the vehicle can cover more area in less time than the family of rovers currently employed on the surface.
“With the advances we are making in solar-electric propulsion for manned and unmanned aircraft, the next logical step is to turn our attention to important exploration projects such as Mars SOLESA,” George Bye, CEO and chairman of Bye Aerospace, said.
“We’ve had our eye on Mars from the beginning, from ground-based power stations to atmospheric-based operations,” said Joe Armstrong, CTO of Ascent Solar. “The development of the Mars SOLESA with Bye Aerospace matches up well with our internal development of a higher performance PV product that gives the SOLESA an impressive performance envelope.”
The aircraft, known as the Mars SOLESA (solar electric survey aircraft), is an approach taken by Bye Aerospace allowing for closer investigation of the Martian surface with greater resolution and flexibility than the orbital satellites currently operating above the surface, but with far greater range and perspective than rovers.
In conjunction with solar power provided by Ascent Solar, the Mars SOLESA concept will enable the vehicle to fly through the Martian atmosphere, gathering pertinent and novel data along the way.
Ascent Solar PV enables daytime recharging of the SOLESA batteries. The fresh charge allows multiple series of flights. By flying at altitudes of a few hundred up to a few thousand feet above the Martian surface, the vehicle can cover more area in less time than the family of rovers currently employed on the surface.
“With the advances we are making in solar-electric propulsion for manned and unmanned aircraft, the next logical step is to turn our attention to important exploration projects such as Mars SOLESA,” George Bye, CEO and chairman of Bye Aerospace, said.
“We’ve had our eye on Mars from the beginning, from ground-based power stations to atmospheric-based operations,” said Joe Armstrong, CTO of Ascent Solar. “The development of the Mars SOLESA with Bye Aerospace matches up well with our internal development of a higher performance PV product that gives the SOLESA an impressive performance envelope.”