NASA Tests SkyFall Antenna Ahead of 2028 Mars Aircraft Mission

2 articles · Updated · Mirage News · Aug 6

Maya Román connected a coaxial cable to a SkyFall test antenna in JPL's electromagnetic interference chamber, part of ground-penetrating radar checks for NASA's Mars aircraft mission.
The antenna was pointed upward during the test to reduce reflections and interference that could distort its measured radiation pattern.
Three SkyFall aircraft, each carrying four instruments, are being prepared to gather aerial science data on Mars.
The mission builds on Ingenuity, which completed 72 flights over nearly three years and helped Perseverance plan routes and science targets.
SkyFall is slated to launch aboard NASA's Space Reactor-1 Freedom in late 2028.