Low Reynolds Number Airfoil Evaluation for the Mars Helicopter Rotor

Abstract: The present research is aimed at providing a performance model for the Mars Helicopter (MH), to understand the complexity of the flow, and future regions of improvement. The Martian atmosphere’s low density and the MH’s relatively small rotor result in very low chord-based Reynolds number flows, Rec = O(10(exp 3)-10(exp 4)). The low density and subcritical Reynolds number reduce the lifting force and lifting efficiency, respectively. The high drag coefficients in subcritical flow, especially …