NASA Images: Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) celebrated the 50th flight of the ‘Ingenuity’ Mars Helicopter. On April 19, 2021, Nasa’s Ingenuity helicopter became the first vehicle to perform a powered and controlled flight on another planet, i.e. Mars. NASA designed this spacecraft with the goal of no more than 5 flights on Mars. However, thanks to an amazing technology demonstration, Ingenuity made its 50th trip to the red planet on April 13, 2023.
The truth about the ‘ingenuity’ of NASA’s Mars helicopter
Here are some quick facts about NASA’s ‘Ingenuity’ Mars Helicopter:
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Helicopter name |
Skillful |
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Main job |
A technology demonstration to test the first powered flight on Mars. The helicopter flying to Mars is attached to the belly of the Perseverance rover. |
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Launch |
July 30, 2020, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida |
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Landing |
February 18, 2021, Jezero Crater, Mars |
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Mission length |
Technology demonstration complete; Move to a new active demo phase |
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Size |
Height: about 19 inches (0.49 meters) Propeller system distance: about 4 feet (1.2 meters) |
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main function |
Weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg) Uses solar energy and recharges itself Wireless communication system The counter-rotating impeller rotates at about 2,400 rpm Equipped with a computer, positioning sensor and two cameras (one color and one black and white) |
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NASA Photos & Video: ‘Ingenuity’ of Mars Helicopter Celebrates 50 Flights
Nasa shared on social media that “Ingenuity’s 50 flights took it more than 11,500 meters (38,000 ft) above the surface of Jezero Crater, for a total flight time of nearly 90 minutes. Ingenuity has arrived at Mars after a 300 million mile (480 million km) trip with our Perseverance rover; Now, Ingenuity and Perseverance are searching the ground and air of Mars together for signs of ancient life.”
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Highlights the ‘Ingenuity’ of NASA’s Mars Helicopter
Key highlights of Ingenuity’s historic and successful operations on Mars are:
- It was the first aircraft to achieve powered and controlled flight on another planet, a feat known as the “Wright Brothers moment”.
- It completed 89.2 minutes of flight, covering 7.2 miles (11.5 km) and reaching an altitude of 59.1 ft (18.0 m).
- The spacecraft is flying successfully in the extremely thin atmosphere of Mars.
- The helicopter is previewing areas of possible interest on Mars for the Perseverance rover to explore
- This groundbreaking technology will pave the way for future airborne explorers of Mars and possibly other space destinations.
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Through this project, NASA aims to use flight details to give scientists a new perspective on Martian geology. This will also allow them to observe areas that are too steep or slippery to send the rover on to its next Mars mission. In the distant future, this technology could even help astronauts explore Mars.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn