Project 006 Description: Landing on Mars is challenging because the atmosphere is sufficient to cause significant heating on entry, but insufficient to probes down to very low speeds needed for landing. Larger landers and rovers must use descent engines during terminal descent, but more simple and small landers could survive the impact on landing from a purely aerodynamic drag device such as a parachute. However, small parachutes could cause significant problems upon landing, as they may drop over the lander, obscuring sensors and antennas. This project will investigate the feasibility of using autorotation of 3–4 foldable rotor blades attached to a simple hub (sensor platform) as a method of terminal descent on the Martian surface, similar to the method of descent of maple seed pods on Earth. These rotors would eliminate the possibility of sensor occlusion from the parachute while also providing lateral braces upon landing for certainty in vehicle attitude upon landing. The students will develop simulation scripts based on known theory; employ Martian atmospheric models; design a prototype; and/or develop a testing plan.