Something to look forward to: NASA’s latest explorer will make contact with Mars’ surface on February 18 next month. This is an important step for the space agency, and not just because of the rover itself: its cargo is equally important. The Perseverance Rover has the very first ‘Mars Helicopter’, known as Ingenuity.
Ingenuity is a small, lightweight helicopter with two rotors, each made of durable carbon fiber. The rotors will rotate in opposite directions, at a speed of ‘approximately 2,400 rpm’, which is ‘many times’ faster than you would see on any passenger helicopter on earth.
So, why are these speeds necessary, and why is the ingenuity so light? According to NASA, the extremely thin atmosphere of Mars is to blame. With much less usable air than Earth, any flying vehicle that wants to fly on the Red Planet will need significantly faster rotors to generate enough elevator to get off the ground.
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If the mission is a success, it could revolutionize the way scientists approach the exploration of Mars. So far, they have had to rely on slow, ground-based rovers to navigate, but if Ingenuity turns out to be able to withstand the harsh environment of Mars, the technology could become much more common. Maybe a more refined design could be made later?
We wish NASA’s engineers, and Ingenuity itself, all the best in their efforts. Whether it lands and takes off successfully or not, you can be sure we will discuss Ingenuity’s landing here, so stay tuned for February 18th.