NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter set to break new distance record on 68th Red Planet flight
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter is on track to make history once again as it gears up for its 68th Red Planet flight this weekend. The 4-pound (1.8 kilograms) helicopter, which became the first robot to explore the skies of a world beyond Earth, is scheduled to cover an impressive 2,717 feet (828 meters) of Mars ground on Saturday.
This upcoming flight will surpass Ingenuity’s current distance record of 2,310 feet (704 m), which was set during its 25th flight in April 2022. The helicopter has proved to be a valuable asset to the mission, especially given its extended mission beyond the initial five flights.
After landing on the floor of Mars’ Jezero Crater with NASA’s Perseverance rover in February 2021, Ingenuity has been a key player in demonstrating the possibility of aerial exploration on Mars, despite the planet’s thin atmosphere. The helicopter has been serving as a scout for Perseverance as the rover searches for signs of ancient Mars life and collects samples for future return to Earth.
The 68th flight is expected to target a top speed of 22.4 mph (36 kph), tying Ingenuity’s current velocity record set in October. The flight will last 147 seconds and take the helicopter a maximum of 33 feet (10 m) above Mars’ surface. Though it may not set new altitude or duration records, it will contribute to Ingenuity’s impressive flight log, which currently stands at a total of 67 flights, 121 minutes of air time, and 9.5 miles (15.3 kilometers) of ground coverage.
As Ingenuity continues to push the boundaries of Martian aviation, its success paves the way for future aerial exploration of the Red Planet.