NASA Tests a New Design on Earth and Continues Mars Helicopter Experiments

NASA, the US space agency, is testing a future aircraft design on Earth concurrently with its ongoing testing of its Ingenuity helicopter on Mars. For the past two and a half years, NASA’s Ingenuity has been conducting test flights on the Red Planet. In February 2021, the experimental helicopter and NASA’s Perseverance rover touched down on Mars.

While they investigate the Jezero Crater, the rover and helicopter have been gathering pictures and information. The mission of the exploration project is to look for evidence of prehistoric life on Mars. In April 2021, Ingenuity achieved a significant milestone as the first aircraft to successfully do a powered, controlled flight on a different planet. According to NASA representatives, the helicopter’s performance has surpassed all expectations. Engineers from the agency anticipated that Ingenuity would only complete five testing flights on Mars. However, the helicopter has made 66 flights so far. NASA has received useful information from it for developing spacecraft in the future. Chief engineer for Ingenuity at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California is Travis Brown. In a statement, he claimed that the helicopter had advanced in new ways with almost every trip. Brown reported that Ingenuity had doubled its maximum speed and height records in the last nine months. The aircraft also performed better on landings and at operational speed.

Ingenuity flights often last no more than two or three minutes. This is due to the energy and temperature constraints of the helicopter. According to NASA engineers, they have also taken care to avoid trying to fly Ingenuity too quickly as this may interfere with its navigation system. As it moves, the chopper employs a camera to recognize objects on the surface, including rocks. The airplane may not be able to find the optimal path forward if it travels too quickly.Ground controllers have reported that they have instructed Ingenuity to fly at higher altitudes in an attempt to assist with this problem. Because surface objects are visible for a longer period of time, the aircraft has a reduced probability of becoming lost.