NASA’s Mars helicopter aces ninth flight

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

NASA’s Mars helicopter, the small rotorcraft has just completed its ninth flight on the Red Planet, breaking speed and distance records along the way.

Although the United States space agency hasn’t shared all the details from the latest flight, the team has confirmed that the plucky little chopper has tackled what the agency says is its “most nerve-wracking” flight to date.

In its longest flight yet, the plucky helicopter buzzed around the Seitah region of Mars, snapping pictures of rock formations and other intriguing targets to help in NASA’s search for microbial life.

The tiny Ingenuity chopper hitched a ride to Mars attached to the belly of NASA’s Perseverance rover, and ever since landing on the Red Planet on February 18, has exceeded scientists’ expectations.

The tiny helicopter was airborne for a record 166.4 seconds (2 minutes and 46.4 seconds), and flew at speeds of 5m (16 feet) per second, according to mission officials.

In its first few flights, the helicopter essentially flew up and down, hovering in place for a bit before it tried to traverse distances.

The increasingly complex series of practice flights served as a demonstration of what off-world rotorcraft can do.

Now, as the craft approaches double digits in terms of flights, it’s upping the ante by adding in some new tricks.