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Needless to say, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter has been delighting the world in recent weeks, and he has not finished his work yet. NASA has released the first color aerial photos of the surface of Mars taken by Ingenuity in your second successful test flight earlier this week. They are quite a sight, although I must admit that the first thing I think of when I see them is, “Oh look, the Perseverance rover passed through here.”
In recent days, NASA released three aerial photos taken by Ingenuity. These are not the first photos the rover takes. Previously, sent images of their shadows taken with its navigation camera facing downwards. And let’s not forget his attentive and proud surrogate father, the Perseverance rover, who takes great photos of the helicopter in action. However, this latest set of images is special because they are the first color photographs of Mars taken by an airborne vehicle while in the air.
Ingenuity’s first color aerial image of Mars
—This is the first color image taken by Ingenuity, which is equipped with a high-resolution color camera containing a 4208 x 3120 pixel sensor, on its test flight on April 22. According to NASA, Ingenuity was 5.2 meters (17 feet) above the surface. It was also moving its field of vision upward as it prepared to move sideways for its 51.9-second flight.
“The image, as well as the inset that shows a close-up of part of the tracks [del] Perseverance Mars rover and the characteristics of the surface of Mars, demonstrates the usefulness of exploring the Martian terrain from an aerial perspective ”, explained NASA in the description of the photo.
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Speaking of Perseverance, you can see the tracks of the six-wheeled rover in the sinuous parallel discolorations of the surface. Perseverance itself is apparently not too far away, but rather in the center and unfortunately out of frame.
“Wright Brothers Field”, which is what NASA has called the official launch zone for Ingenuity, is close to the helicopter’s shadow at the bottom center, the space agency said, and its takeoff point is just below the image. Meanwhile, the black objects on the sides of the photo are Ingenuity’s runways. And in case this photo couldn’t improve, you can see a small part of the horizon in the upper left and right corners.
Ingenuity’s second color aerial image of Mars
—In addition to stating Since this photo was also taken at an altitude of 5.2 meters, NASA did not have much to say. However, the space agency pointed out that the footprints made by Perseverance could also be seen here.
Ingenuity’s third color aerial image of Mars
—NASA was also at a loss for words for this photo, but it kindly reminded us that Perseverance’s footprints can be seen. I look at the clues at the bottom of the photo, although the rest of the image captivates me much more.
On an update Posted Sunday after Ingenuity’s third successful test flight, NASA stated that the helicopter crew had instructed Ingenuity to take more photos, including from its color camera. The space agency claimed that taking additional photos will provide information that could be used by future air missions. Ingenuity is expected to make its fourth test flight in the next few days.
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