NASA readies helicopter for historic flight on Mars

is being readied for its "Wright brothers' moment" on the red planet as early as April 8, engineers said Tuesday. It would be the first powered takeoff and landing on another world.is carrying a postage stamp-size piece of fabric from the Wright Flyer, the first aircraft the Wright brothers successfully flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903.

"If we can scout and scientifically survey Mars from the air with its thin atmosphere, we can certainly do the same in a number of other destinations across the solar system like Titan or Venus. We can ... fly farther perhaps than a rover could traverse or access sites that are difficult to reach." An artist's impression of the Ingenuity helicopter flying above Mars as the Perseverance rover looks on. / Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The fuselage is about the size of a tissue box, measuring 5.4 inches by 7.7 inches by 6.4 inches. The drone's rotor drive system, flight computer, two cameras, radioes, batteries and heaters are all packed inside the fuselage. Perseverance will drop Ingenuity at the center of an already identified 33-foot-square "airfield" near the rover's landing site that is flat and free of any rocks that could pose a hazard. The rover then will drive off, positioning itself about 330 feet away where its cameras can safely monitor the upcoming flight tests.For its first flight, Ingenuity will power up and rise to an altitude of about 10 feet.

Exciting!!! I have been looking forward to this for the past week.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

How to watch NASA livestreams as Ingenuity helicopter attempts first Mars flightNASA hopes the helicopter will demonstrate powered, controlled flight on another planet for the first time.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »

NASA Mars Ingenuity helicopter's first flight could now be next weekA software issue has prevented the little helicopter from taking off so far, but a fix is now underway.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »

NASA Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Prepares for First FlightOur Ingenuity MarsHelicopter has to meet a series of milestones before taking its first flight on the Red Planet. Here's how it's preparing for the test, targeted for April 8: The moon isn’t REAL Here is my coloring book page Accept me as an intern ... I am 15 years old and a girl 🙂💔
Source: NASA - 🏆 672. / 51 Read more »

NASA Invites Public to Take Flight With Ingenuity Mars Helicopter🔴🚁 We are just days away from Ingenuity's first flight on the Red Planet! In anticipation, we’re inviting you (yes, you!) to join us for all the MarsHelicopter pre-flight and post-flight activities: very exciting 😯 Beni alın götürün bu gezegenden artık yeter ya Pre-flight meaning is there any chance of an upgrade?
Source: NASA - 🏆 672. / 51 Read more »

NASA Sets Briefing to Discuss Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Next StepsOur MarsHelicopter has flown successfully three times & completed its mission objectives! What’s up next for the mighty little rotorcraft? Mission experts aim to push the limits. Find out how on Fri., April 30 at 12:30pm ET: So is ingenuity’s mission over ? Or will it still fly ? Hola 👋
Source: NASA - 🏆 672. / 51 Read more »

NASA scores Wright Brothers moment with first helicopter flight on MarsNASA's miniature robot helicopter Ingenuity performed a successful takeoff and landing on Mars early on Monday, achieving the first powered, controlled flight by an aircraft over the surface of another planet, the U.S. space agency said.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »