Goodbye Ingenuity

January 27, 2024

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, the first powered aircraft to fly on another planet, has officially ended its mission after sustaining damage to one or more of its rotor blades during its 72nd flight on January 18th.

Ingenuity's journey began as a daring experiment, a technological marvel tucked inside the belly of the Perseverance rover. Originally designed for just five test flights, the little helicopter defied expectations, soaring above the Martian surface for nearly three years, exceeding its mission duration.

Over 72 flights, Ingenuity logged over 128 minutes of flight time on Mars, covering a total distance of 10.5 miles. It ventured into uncharted territory, scouting for the Perseverance rover, providing aerial reconnaissance, and demonstrating the feasibility of powered flight in the thin Martian atmosphere.

Learn more about the Ingenuity helicopter.

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