NASA‘s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has completed its 52nd flight, marking a significant milestone in the mission. The flight took place last April 26; however, contact with the helicopter was lost during its descent due to a hill obstructing communication between its landing location and the Perseverance rover. The Ingenuity team had anticipated this communication dropout and had already developed re-contact plans for when the rover returned within range. On June 28, contact was re-established as the rover crested the hill and regained visibility of Ingenuity.
The primary objective of Flight 52 was to reposition the helicopter and capture images of the Martian surface for the rover’s science team. This flight covered 1,191 feet (363 meters) and lasted 139 seconds. The Jezero Crater area being explored by the rover and helicopter is rugged, increasing the likelihood of communication dropouts. The team aims to keep Ingenuity ahead of Perseverance, even if it means temporarily pushing beyond communication limits.
Despite the 63-day wait for flight results, the data received so far indicates that Ingenuity is in good health on the alien planet. If the remaining health checks go well, the helicopter may retake flight in the coming weeks. Flight 53 is planned to target a temporary airfield to the west, followed by a westward flight to a new base of operations near a rocky outcrop of interest to the Perseverance team. Dave Lavery, the program executive for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter at NASA Headquarters, expresses enthusiasm about the progress made by Ingenuity and its potential for future flights.
Overall, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has overcome communication challenges and completed its 52nd flight, paving the way for further exploration and scientific research on the Red Planet.
References
- https://www.jpl.nasa.gov. (2023, June 30). NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Phones Home. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); NASA. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-phones-home
