NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, which flew on Mars in April 2021, became the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on a planet other than Earth.
When
's next-gen Mars helicopter must address the challenges faced by Ingenuity. The smaller helicopter's crash landing in early 2024 provided valuable lessons for future designs. One key issue was navigation in featureless terrain. Ingenuity's vision-based navigation system struggled with the sandy, rippled surface of Jezero Crater.
is making significant technological advancements in preparation for future Mars helicopters. Engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have developed new carbon fiber rotor blades that are 4 inches longer than those used on Ingenuity. These next-generation blades have undergone rigorous testing, reaching speeds of up to 3,500 rpm, which is 750 rpm faster than Ingenuity's maximum speed.
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