"Uncovering Mars' Methane Mystery: The Potential of a Martian Plane"

NASA is funding a study to explore the feasibility of a Mars airplane concept called MAGGIE, designed to operate for nearly two Earth years and fly 3,300 feet above the Martian surface to search for methane, a potential sign of life. The aircraft could use high-resolution instruments to detect trace amounts of methane and other transient phenomena, and its patented technology would allow it to navigate the thin atmosphere of Mars. If successful, MAGGIE could be included in a two-year phase 2 study to deepen engineering and science work, potentially leading to future aerial exploration missions on Mars.