The Mars Aerial and Ground Global Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE) aircraft has been chosen by NASA for its most recent mission to the Red Planet, demonstrating the agency’s continued embrace of innovation. This historic choice is the result of NASA’s dedication to supporting out-of-the-ordinary and imaginative ideas through the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, which has been advancing innovative concepts since 1998.
MAGGIE is unique among the 13 concepts selected for Phase I development since it is a small, solar-powered, fixed-wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The goal of MAGGIE is to conduct a thorough exploration of Mars, looking at both its surface and atmosphere. Ge-Cheng Zha, a professor of aerodynamics at the University of Miami and the president of Coflow Jet LLC, proposed the project.
The aircraft’s key innovation lies in its use of CoFlow Jet (CFJ) deflected slipstream technology. This feature allows MAGGIE to achieve a cruise lift coefficient nearly ten times higher than conventional subsonic aircraft in Mars’ thin atmosphere. With a cruising speed of Mach 0.25 and a range of 16,048 km for an entire Martian year, MAGGIE presents a compelling solution to the challenges posed by Mars’ unique environmental conditions.
Zha’s proposal outlines the three elements of the CFJ technology, emphasizing its ability to enhance lift coefficient, prevent flow separation or stall, and enable deflected slipstream. These features not only address the challenges of Mars’ low air density but also simplify the VTOL aircraft design.
The proposed mission for MAGGIE involves three crucial investigations, focusing on Mars’ historical magnetic field, the source of methane signals detected by the Curiosity rover, and detailed mapping of subsurface water ice. With its reliance on solar energy and potential for indefinite operation, MAGGIE offers the opportunity for the first global-scale atmospheric mission on Mars.
Zha envisions MAGGIE as a transformative concept that not only expands the exploration capabilities on Mars but also has implications for Earth’s vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technologies. By applying the same CFJ technology, MAGGIE’s advancements could significantly improve the efficiency of eVTOL vehicles used in urban air mobility on Earth.
MAGGIE, which represents NASA’s dedication to bringing bold concepts to life, emerges as a shining example of innovation as the agency pushes the limits of space exploration. MAGGIE is a major step forward in NASA’s pursuit of ground-breaking missions, with the potential to transform Earth-based aviation as well as Martian exploration.