Key takeaways:
- NASA’s Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity, has achieved its 50th flight, reaching a record-breaking altitude of 59 feet.
- The 50th flight was a repositioning mission to explore the “Fall River Pass” near the planet’s Jerezo Crater.
- Ingenuity has surpassed all expectations, transitioning from a technology demonstration to an aerial scout for the red planet.
NASA’s Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity, has achieved a major milestone, completing its 50th flight and breaking a new record for altitude.
On Thursday, Ingenuity flew over a thousand feet in two and a half minutes, reaching a height of 59 feet. This marks the first time a rotorcraft has achieved powered, controlled flight on another planet.
The 50th flight was a repositioning mission, allowing the helicopter to explore the “Fall River Pass” near the planet’s Jerezo Crater. This region is thought to have once held water.
Ingenuity first flew on Mars on April 19, 2021, reaching a height of 10 feet (3 meters) and hovering for about half a minute before touching back down. Since then, the helicopter has surpassed all expectations, transitioning from a technology demonstration designed for five flights to an aerial scout for the red planet.
The craft’s missions have allowed teams at NASA to demonstrate how aircraft could help on future missions, capturing images of new ground and providing valuable insight into the conditions on Mars.
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