Flapping wings

The IPMC material acts like the muscles of a bird, working to flap the wings. This is a very efficient form of flight, providing lift, control and propulsion from a single structure.

Collapse to fit

As it’s made of thin, flexible films, the SSA can be folded up into a very small volume, making it easy to pack into a mission. Several models could be rolled up together.

Flying form

The SSA is able to flex its wings like a bird. This provides all flight control without the need for a separate tail or flaps.

Payload

Such an aircraft could carry a range of environmental sensors for exploring another planet, profiling the atmosphere at different altitudes or photographing the surface in great detail.

Planetary atmospheres

The rocky planets all have their own challenges. Venus has good solar power and a dense atmosphere, but corrosive clouds, while Mars has low gravity and a thin, cold atmosphere of low density.

solar cells

Solar cells created on a thin, flexible plastic will cover the entire surface of the SSA, converting light into electricity to power the aircraft.

Thin film batteries

Produced by spraying thin layers of battery materials onto a flexible backing, these will store the electricity created by the solar cells.

8IPMC

This material is an organic membrane coated with metal on both sides. When charge is applied across the surface, it flexes towards the negative terminal, working like a muscle.