The Ingenuity helicopter compiled aviation history on Mars.
NASA / JPL-Caltech
This story is part of Welcome to Mars, our series exploring the red planet.
NASA on Monday achieved the “first powered, controlled flight on another planet” Speed helicopter took off from the surface of Mars. Now that history has been made, NASA is eager to tell us all about it.
NASA today launched an information session for the flight after 11:00 on PT when the helicopter team will share the latest on the aviation that took place on the red planet.
The small rotorcraft has a ride to Mars under the belly of the Perseverance Rover, which drop it on the surface to take care of yourself. The two machines had a beautiful picture together. The wanderer acted as a witness to Ingenuity’s flight.
The flight attempt was delayed from the original date of 11 April NASA time to update machine software after a rotation test of the rotors ended too early. The helicopter later successfully completed a rapid turn test, an important milestone that paved the way for laying away.
The agency aired coverage of Ingenuity’s effort on NASA TV early Monday. It was not like watching a sporting event with live footage, but the NASA helicopter team celebrated after the good news of Mars was radiated back. You can see the replay here:
“The rover will provide support during flight operations, take photos, collect environmental data and provide the base station that enables the helicopter to communicate with mission controllers on Earth,” NASA said in a statement in early April.
NASA stressed that Ingenuity is a high-risk, high-reward technology demonstration. It now officially yields the reward. NASA has set the planned test flight period for up to 31 Earth days, and more flights may be scheduled soon. The agency is currently looking for a second test flight on April 22.
There’s a lucky talisman for the ride. Ingenuity has a little piece of the famous Flyer of the Wright Brothers attached to it, and draws a direct line between making aviation history on both Earth and Mars.
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