NASA’s Mars Ingenuity helicopter completes its 23rd flight!
Recommended for Secondary Grades
NASA’s Mars Ingenuity helicopter has finished its 23rd flight. As per NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the helicopter flew for 129.1 seconds across 358 metres. It has been on Mars for almost a year now. It was built for a month-long mission. The 1.8 kg helicopter was supposed to be used for only five flights. So far, it has flown 23 times thereby exceeding expectations.
What is Jezero Crater?
Jezero Crater is on Mars and because of its unique history a favourite spot of investigation for scientists. As per experts, more than 3.5 billion years ago, river channels flowed into the crater wall and made a lake inside it. Scientists primarily study the clay minerals from the surrounding area that were brought into the crater lake by water.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity helicopter!
In February 2021, NASA’s Perseverance rover and Ingenuity arrived together in the Jezero Crater on Mars.
After the first five flights, the Ingenuity Helicopter demonstrated the possibility of aerial exploration on Mars. Thereby, NASA gave Ingenuity a mission extension. Since then, the helicopter has been acting like a buddy for Perseverance.
Ingenuity’s observations are helping the experts pick the best path for Perseverance that is headed towards an ancient delta region on Mars. The delta region is a reminder to experts of Mars’s past wet climate.
The plans ahead for Ingenuity!
According to NASA, Ingenuity flew 15,247 feet and stayed in the air for almost 39 minutes during its first 21 flights. Experts state that Ingenuity is still in good shape. NASA recently extended the helicopter’s use again, through at least September 2022.
What do our readers think about this historic milestone? What do you think will the scientists discover on Mars? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Be sure to check out this amazing Youtube video of Ingenuity’s landing on Mars shared by NASA’s JPL.
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