NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Dropped on Mars' Surface Ahead of Flight

[Hardline]

NASA's Ingenuity mini-helicopter has been dropped on the surface of Mars in preparation for its first flight, the US space agency said.

The ultra-light aircraft had been fixed to the belly of the Perseverance rover, which touched down on the Red Planet on February 18.

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/nasa-ingenuity-helicopter-mars/2021/04/04/id/1016262/

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

How long before they crash it? We're all thinking it, I'm just asking it?

3 months from its first flight is my guess.

 

[Runwildboys]

How long before they crash it? We're all thinking it, I'm just asking it?

3 months from its first flight is my guess.

They don't control it in real time, like a drone. I'm not sure how they have it set up, but either it'll be autonomous or they'll have to program it's flight path before it takes off. I'm guessing the latter, since they didn't let it go right away. I assume they're mapping out the best routes and landing spots.

 

[Rockport]

NASA's Ingenuity mini-helicopter has been dropped on the surface of Mars in preparation for its first flight, the US space agency said.

The ultra-light aircraft had been fixed to the belly of the Perseverance rover, which touched down on the Red Planet on February 18.

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/nasa-ingenuity-helicopter-mars/2021/04/04/id/1016262/

Super cool. Can’t wait to see some drone footage.

 

[Melonfeud]

I just read it's initial flight will be about a 3 meter vertical lift& hover briefly,then straight back down to the surface ( it doesn't appear to me to of been designed w/ all that much of the greatest flight stabilities in mind,, solar panel mounted top mast? Naw, I'd of sacrificed max charging abilities & inverted "V" the panel( s) into the fixed landing leg prongs,,, myself)

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I'm thinking they're just going to use the helicopter scout a path for the rover. I say that because I haven't heard them talk about the last rover in awhile. So I guess they drove it off of a dead drop cliff. Thelma and Louise style.