Ingenuity
Ingenuity is a small helicopter that has flown on Mars, even though the Martian atmosphere is only 1% the density of the air in Earth’s atmosphere. It was attached to the underbelly of the Perseverance rover. Its lithium-ion batteries supply enough power for 90 second flights. To fly in the thin atmosphere it is very light (less than 1.8 kg and its blades rotate 3,000 rpms. It's first flight was 39.1 seconds on April 19, 2021.[1] Date returned to Earth showed that Ingenuity climbed to its planned maximum altitude of 10 feet (3 meters, maintained a stable hover for 30 seconds, and then descended for a soft landing.[2]
Ingenuity's second Mars flight took place on April 22. That was the 18th sol or Martian day. It lasted 51.9 seconds. Besides going higher and longer it went sideways.[3]
References:
- ↑ https://www.space.com/mars-helicopter-ingenuity-flight-dust-plume?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SDC_Newsletter&utm_content=SDC_Newsletter+&utm_term=2946561&m_i=dStKDf4jn5HKkR0FWgRXY3M2FDuBJGGmMsgr%2ByuGOr%2BfsL12Mc%2BC95cXAbsEZZ_Xy83ALn30BPUt5jW_bKUzAoBzcZJ7SZ7uLYwIWwdddN
- ↑ https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-succeeds-in-historic-first-flight?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nasajpl&utm_content=daily20210419-2
- ↑ https://outlook.live.com/mail/0/inbox/id/AQMkADAwATExAGNiNy00YzQ1LTM4MjMtMDACLTAwCgBGAAADdsmEa%2FgtIEmBK%2FX8yb671wcAkr%2FaXi2mwEKimhNbcs0ITQAAAgEMAAAAkr%2FaXi2mwEKimhNbcs0ITQAEieWntAAAAA%3D%3D
