Ingenuity landed ahead of schedule on its 71st flight on Mars

2024-01-10 12:45:14

MADRID, 10 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, which accompanies the Perseverance rover on its journey through the Jezero craterlanded successfully but much earlier than planned on its 71st flight.

This flight, which took place on January 6, It was programmed to travel 358 meters for 125 seconds.. However, it only traveled 71 meters in 35 seconds.. The planned flight height of 12 meters and the speed of 7 meters per second were achieved.

“The relatively monotonous terrain over which it flew (sand ripples with few or no rocks) proved to be a challenge for its navigation system,” He explained the mission on his X account.

Ingenuity completed Flight 71!

The #MarsHelicopter landed successfully, but earlier than expected. The relatively featureless terrain it flew over (sand ripples with few or no rocks) proved to be a challenge for its navigation system. See the stats: pic.twitter.com/RaCmAgON34

— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) January 10, 2024

First controlled powered flight aircraft in another world, Ingenuity is half a meter tall and weighs 1.8 kilos. It has six lithium-ion batteries that are charged with solar energy. Its four carbon fiber blades are arranged in two rotors that spin in opposite directions at around 2,400 rpm, much faster than a helicopter on Earth.

Since April 2021, the Mars helicopter has logged 128.3 minutes of flight, covering 17 km and reaching altitudes of up to 24 meters. It contributes with its images to plan the surface exploration of the Perseverance rover.