Ingenuity helicopter makes flight on Mars
In a historic event, for the first time, a helicopter flew over the Mars airspace. NASA's helicopter weighs just over 1.8 kg. It flew three meters or ten feet above the surface of Mars and even though it might not sound like a big deal but it is a huge deal and a first in the known history of Mars. Images of the flight were received by the ground control room several hours later as the data was to cover a distance of 176 million miles. The scientist community throughout the world has hailed this development as a breakthrough in the journey to Mars.
The helicopter that flew over Mars is called Ingenuity. It flew on an automated system under a pre-installed flight program. The helicopter is also fitted with a navigation system, which brings it back to takeoff after the flight.
The flight is only possible with a pre-installed flight program because it takes fifteen minutes to reach a message from earth to Mars and vice versa. During the flight, the helicopter made a full circle and then successfully landed in a valley-like area, which has been named 'Jezero Crater'.
Helicopter flight images were also captured by the spacecraft's camera, which is currently on the surface of Mars. The spacecraft arrived on the Red Planet on February 18 this year after a long journey. The spacecraft is called the Preservation Rover. The spacecraft was parked about 76 feet from the helicopter's flight site. NASA has indicated that video of the helicopter's flight will be received on the ground in the next few days.
