NASA’s Ingenuity robotic helicopter, which was sent to Mars by the US space agency in February 2021, has completed its mission and will now serve as a fixed data collection unit on the Red Planet. This announcement was made on Tuesday, marking the end of its operational flights.
Initially designed for a 30-day mission, Ingenuity surpassed all expectations by conducting 72 flights and covering a distance 14 times greater than planned. It became the first motorized spacecraft to fly on another planet, demonstrating the possibility of flight in the thin Martian atmosphere.
Weighing only 1.8 kg, Ingenuity resembles a drone with solar panels, designed to look like a box with four legs and two rotors. Its groundbreaking flight in April 2021, hovering one meter above the Martian surface for 39 seconds, was compared to the Wright brothers’ flight on Earth in 1903.
Despite facing challenges, such as an emergency landing and damage to a rotor blade during its final descent, Ingenuity continued to operate successfully. It has traveled a total of 17 kilometers and flown at a height of 24 meters, showcasing its longevity and resilience on Mars.
Moving forward, Ingenuity will transition to serving as a test platform and collecting data for future research on the Red Planet. Its remarkable performance has paved the way for future missions and advancements in Martian exploration.