The Challenge of Controlling a Small Mars Plane

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are lightweight and high-power, making them ideal for power control in a planetary exploration spacecraft. In this chapter, we will discuss the control of an exploration airplane exploring the surface of Mars using DEs. This airplane requires lightweight and powerful actuators to fly in the rare Martian atmosphere. DEs are a possible candidate for use as actuator controlling the airplane since they have high power, and high efficiency. A structural model of a wing having a control surface, a DE, and a linkage was built and a wind tunnel test of a control surface actuation using a DE actuator was carried out.