NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Successfully Completes First Flight On Mars
MARS - APRIL 19: In this NASA/JPL-Caltech handout image, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter took this shot while hovering over the Martian surface on April 19, 2021, during the first instance of powered, controlled flight on another planet. It used its navigation camera, which autonomously tracks the ground during flight. A key objective for Perseverance’s mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover will characterize the planet’s geology and past climate, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and be the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock. (Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech via Getty Images)
This is crazy to watch! If you want to be amazed today, then you need to watch NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter successfully complete its first flight on Mars. This helicopter is extra special because it was the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet on April 19th, 2021. The data was received from the helicopter via NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover at 6:46 a.m. EDT (3:46 a.m. PDT).
Ingenuity’s next flight will take place by April 22nd and include higher altitudes and some lateral movement. This might be one of the coolest things you see in your lifetime! I sure enjoyed it. Space for me will always be fascinating and well, ‘out of this world.’ You can see more on the landing here.
Alexis Zarycki is your average girl with the hopes of leaving an everlasting impact on the world. Follow her on Instagram @official_lexpaige