Preliminary Design of a Fixed-Wing UAV for the Martian Environment

The preliminary design of a vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing UAV for the large-scale aerial exploration of Mars is presented. This work aims to assess the effects of Martian environmental conditions on the design of fixed-wing UAVs. The Martian environment is characterized by low gravity, extremely low atmospheric density, and glacial temperatures. These conditions significantly affect the drone’s capability to generate sufficient lift and have a relevant impact on the overall performance of the UAV, which features reduced aerodynamic characteristics given the typical low-Reynolds regime.