NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, known for its pioneering achievement as the first powered flight on another world, has ended its mission due to damage.
The helicopter became incapable of flight after it damaged its rotors while performing an emergency landing.
Despite the setback NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised Ingenuity for exceeding its expected lifespan and mission objectives, stating it ‘paved the way for future flight in our solar system.’
Ingenuity arrived on Mars in February 2021 aboard the Perseverance rover. Originally intended as a brief technology demonstration to validate powered flight in Mars’ thin atmosphere, the aircraft exceeded expectations conducting 72 flights and covering a distance 14 times greater than planned, while supporting the Perseverance rover by scouting Martian terrain and aiding in navigation decisions.
The end of Ingenuity’s mission aligns with Perseverance’s new phase of exploration, where it will embark on long, rapid journeys to explore the rim of Jezero Crater.
But they totally landed on the moon in a tinfoil capsule using 1960’s technology, then relaunched back into deep space unaided, before re-intercepting the orbiting shuttle and docking with it courtesy of the astronauts’ slick crop dusting piloting skills.
All without any problems whatsoever 😉
They can have remote controlled helicopters flying around Mars but I cant get cell signal in the hills behind me. Yeah righto so believable….