Nasa launches mini helicopter on Mars in historic feat
WASHINGTON: In a historic feat for humankind, Nasa launched the first powered, controlled flight of its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter on another planet.
The mini helicopter began its flight at about 3.45pm (India time) yesterday and the data was received at Nasa headquarters at about 4.25pm (India time). It took off a few feet from the ground, hovered in the air for about 20 to 30 seconds, and landed.
The team will try more experimental flights of incrementally further distance and greater altitude. After the helicopter completes its technology demonstration, Perseverance rover will continue its scientific mission.
Mars Helicopter chief engineer at JPL Bob Balaram said: “Every step we’ve taken since this journey began six years ago has been uncharted territory in the history of aircraft.”
The mini helicopter flew to Mars, attached to the belly of Nasa’s Perseverance rover, which made a February 18 touchdown on the Red Planet.
The sole mission of Ingenuity is to conduct flight tests in the thin atmosphere of Mars; the helicopter carries no science instruments.
Within 30 Martian days, or sols (a Martian day is 24.6 hours), on the surface, Ingenuity will complete its testing, and Perseverance’s scientific exploration of Jezero Crater will kick into high gear.
The Perseverance rover will provide support during flight operations, taking images, collecting environmental data, and hosting the base station that enables the helicopter to communicate with mission controllers on Earth.
The data returned could benefit future explorations of the Mars – including those by astronauts – by adding the aerial dimension, which is not available today.