Without new landers or rovers, it's helicopters or bust for NASA's Mars program

NASA has ordered three SkyFall helicopters from AeroVironment. The order is a sign of NASA's commitment to using helicopters as the primary means of exploration on Mars. The Mars program has not had a new lander or rover in years. The SkyFall helicopters are designed to be autonomous and will be used to explore areas of Mars that are inaccessible to rovers. The order is a significant step forward for NASA's Mars program.

The SkyFall helicopters will be the first of their kind to be used on another planet. The helicopters will be used to collect data and samples from Mars, which will be sent back to Earth for analysis. The data collected by the SkyFall helicopters will help scientists better understand the planet's geology and potential for habitability. The SkyFall helicopters are expected to launch in the next few years. The exact launch date has not been announced.

The helicopters will be launched from Earth and will travel to Mars aboard a spacecraft. Once they arrive, they will be deployed to explore the planet's surface. The success of the SkyFall helicopters will depend on their ability to navigate the planet's challenging terrain and collect valuable data.