NASA’s Mars Ingenuity helicopter recently completed its 23rd excursion, flying for 129.1 seconds across 358 meters.
The autonomous chopper has survived almost a year on the Red Planet—well beyond the 31-day original technology demonstration mission for which it was designed.
Initially slated for no more than five flights, the 4-pound craft has so far completed 23, defying expectations and transitioning into an operational tool, acting as an aerial scout for Red Planet companion rover Perseverance.
The latest milestone—which brings the copter’s total distance flown to more than 5,000 meters—comes nearly a year after it completed its historic first flight, hovering above Mars’ Jezero Crater for 39.1 seconds.
Ingenuity’s mission has been extended through Sept. 2022, allowing it to continue testing its limits in order to support the design of future Mars air vehicles.
“Less than a year ago we didn’t even know if powered, controlled flight of an aircraft at Mars was possible,” Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said earlier this month. “Now, we are looking forward to Ingenuity’s involvement in Perseverance’s second science campaign.”
To enhance the chances of success, NASA’s JPL is making software updates to improve operational flexibility and flight safety.” NASA’s Ingenuity crew, meanwhile, recently received the National Space Club & Foundation’s preeminent Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy, awarded to a person or group leading groundbreaking space or aeronautics achievements in the US.
“Just as Robert H. Goddard’s first liquid-fueled rockets of the 1920s led to interplanetary missions, Ingenuity could lead us to a future filled with fleets of Mars aircraft soaring through its thin atmosphere,” Tzanetos added.
