2024-04-18 21:09:03
NASA’s space helicopter “Ingenuity” sent its last message to Earth, BTA reported according to information from AFP. From now on, the device will serve as a fixed data storage device.
In 2021, Ingenuity became the first motorized spacecraft to fly over another planet. It could fly in the air of Mars, where the density of the atmosphere is only 1 percent of that of Earth.
The helicopter weighs only 1.8 kilograms and looks more like a large drone. “Inginyuuti” traveled a total of about 17 km and rose to a height of 24 m. The total flight time equals more than 2 hours.
The helicopter arrived on Mars in February 2021 along with the Perseverance rover. The task of the “Inginuuti” was to assist the rover in the search for possible traces of ancient microbes.
The NASA team said goodbye to the helicopter with a post on the X social network.
The Ingenuity team received the latest message from the helicopter, which will now serve as a data bank, storing information to help future explorers of the Red Planet, the publication added.
The rover’s endurance proved remarkable given the fact that it had to endure the icy Martian nights and rely on its solar panels to charge during the day. According to the plan, “Inginuuti” was supposed to take off only five times, but because of its very good performance, the mission was extended until January 2024. The helicopter has a total of 72 flights.
NASA has announced that it is looking for a way to transport the rock samples taken by Perseverance to Earth as quickly and cheaply as possible.