NASA’s experimental Ingenuity helicopter hopes to fly to Mars.
NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU
This story is part of Welcome to Mars, our series exploring the red planet.
Let’s take a moment to marvel at the phrase “the first powered, controlled flight on another planet.” NASA hopes to reach that important milestone very soon with the Speed Helicopter on Mars.
The small rotorcraft has a ride to Mars under the belly of the Perseverance Rover, which drop it on the surface about a week ago. The two machines posed for a photo together. The wanderer will witness Ingenuity’s efforts to get off the ground.
The Attempt at Ingenuity was targeted on Sunday, but NASA said Saturday it was “delayed until no earlier than April 14.” A further update from NASA indicates that the week beginning April 19 will be a new date.
“During a high-speed rotary test of the rotors on Friday, the command sequence that controls the test was terminated early due to a ‘watchdog’ timer,” NASA said. “The watchdog timer monitors the command sequence and warn the system about possible problems. It helps the system stay safe by not continuing if a problem is detected and working as planned. “
The space agency said the Ingenuity team is diagnosing the problem and will reschedule the rotor test based on its findings. Ingenuity is “safe and sound,” NASA said.
The agency will provide coverage of the confirmation of Ingenuity’s first flight on NASA TV.
It would not be like watching a sporting event with live footage, but the NASA team hopes to get results that point to a successful gliding action.
“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.
Look at this:
How NASA’s Mars helicopter the future of …
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NASA highlighted how Ingenuity is a high-risk, high-reward technology demonstration. It will be exciting if it works, but not shocking if it does not work. If the first flight goes well, more efforts will follow. NASA has fixed the planned test flight period for up to 31 Earth days.
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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