NASA’s Mars helicopter reported in

Mission controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California received the first status report of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which landed at the Jezero crater on February 18, 2021, attached to the agency’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover belly. The shutdown, which arrived at 15:30 PST (18:30 EST) via a connection by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, indicates that both the helicopter, which will remain attached to the rover for 30 to 60 days, and its base station ( an electric box on the rover that stores and guides communication between the rotorcraft and the earth) works as expected.

“There are two big-ticket items we’re looking for in the data: the charge condition of Ingenuity’s batteries, as well as the confirmation that the base station is working according to plan, and recommend the heater to switch off and keep on the helicopter’s electronics within an expected state. series, “said Tim Canham. Ingenuity Mars helicopter operations lead at JPL. “Both seem to be working well. With this positive report, we will continue to charge tomorrow on the helicopter’s batteries.”

Ensuring that Ingenuity has enough stored energy on board to maintain heating and other important functions while also maintaining the optimal health of the battery is essential to the success of the Mars helicopter. The one-hour start-up increases the rotorcraft’s batteries to about 30% of its total capacity. A few days later, they will be charged again to reach 35%, with future charging sessions planned weekly while the helicopter is attached to the rover. The data turned off during tomorrow’s charging sessions will be compared to the charging sessions during the voyage to Mars to help the team plan for future charging sessions.

Just like a large portion of the 4-pound (2 kilogram) rotorcraft, the six lithium-ion batteries are off the shelf. They are currently receiving recharges from the Rover’s power source. Once Ingenuity is deployed on Mars’ surface, the helicopter’s batteries will be charged only by its own solar panel.

Once permeability has been established on the surface, the helicopter will then have an experimental flight test window of 30 days (31 days on Earth). If Ingenuity survives its first bone-chilling Mars nights – where temperatures are as low as minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 90 degrees Celsius) – the team will continue its first flight from an airplane to another world.

If Ingenuity manages to take off and soar during its first flight, more than 90% of the project’s goals will be achieved. If the rotorcraft lands successfully and is still in use, up to four further flights can be attempted, each building on the success of the last.

“We’re in uncharted territory, but this team is used to it,” said MiMi Aung, project manager of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter at JPL. “Almost every milestone from here to the end of our flight demonstration program will be a first, and everyone must succeed in going to the next one. We will enjoy this good news at the moment, but then we must return to your work. . “

Next generation rotorcraft, the descendants of Ingenuity, could add an air dimension to the future exploration of the Red Planet. These advanced robotic aircraft offer a unique vantage point not provided by current orbits high or by robbers and landers on the ground, provide high-definition images and reconnaissance for robots or humans, and provide access to terrain that is difficult to navigate. to reach.