2023-04-19 14:35:45
MADRID, 19 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
For the first time in nearly two years, NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars is close enough like to see the dust on the rotors of the Ingenuity helicopter.
“From about 23 meters away, Ingenuity seems to withstand the harsh Martian environment well,” adds the twitter account of the mission in the comment of the image of the first controlled powered flight aircraft on another planet.
Ingenuity completed its flight number 50 on Mars on April 13, traveling 322.2 meters in 145.7 seconds at a record flight altitude of 18 meters. This April 19 marks precisely two years of the first flight. Built to make five flights, equipped with many commercially available components like smartphone processors and cameras, Ingenuity has reached 45 flights beyond its expected lifespan. The helicopter has flown for more than 89 minutes and more than 11.6 kilometers.
Well, we don’t see this every day!
For the first time in nearly two years, @NASAPersevere is close enough to see the dust on the #MarsHelicopter‘s rotors. ?? From about 75 ft / 23 m away, Ingenuity looks to be holding up well in the harsh Martian environment. pic.twitter.com/slVMVRMRam
— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) April 19, 2023
Ingenuity, with 1.8 kilos and two 1.2 meter rotors, landed on the Red Planet in February 2021 attached to the belly of the Perseverance rover. Designed as a technology demonstration, the helicopter was intended to demonstrate that powered and controlled flight on another planet was possible. But Ingenuity exceeded expectations and went on to be a demo of operations.
Every time Ingenuity goes on the air, it covers new ground and offers a perspective that no previous planetary mission could achieve. The helicopter images have not only shown how the planes could serve as advanced explorers for future planetary expeditions, but they have even been useful for the Perseverance teamaccording to NASA.
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