The tiny Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, continued its flight, exceeding all expectations. Originally scheduled for just five flights over the red planet, the helicopter recently completed its 23rd flight and is still running. Intelligence is on its way to meet up with its rover companion, Perseverance, and in the future, it will aid the rover’s mission to search for evidence of ancient life on Mars by searching for driving routes and scientifically interesting objects.
“23 flights and growing!” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory writes about recent achievements at Indonesia. “#MarsHelicopter successfully completed its 23rd voyage.” It flew for 129.1 seconds over 358 meters. Data from Ingenuity in the new territories it leads to help the @NASAPersevere team find potential science targets.”
23 flights and growing! #MarsHelicopter successfully the 23rd outing is complete. It flew for 129.1 seconds over 358 meters. Data from Ingenuity in the new targeted region will help @n_a_s_parah the team found a potential science target. https://t.co/TNCdXWcKWE pic.twitter.com/I63LrizOEc
– NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) March 25, 2022
The Perseverance rover is on its way to the delta in the Jezero crater. Millions of years ago there was plenty of water in the delta, which should have been warm and shallow, making it the perfect place for life to emerge. If there has ever been life on Mars, then the delta is likely a location where it could develop. In addition, the geological makeup of the delta means it would be great for preserving signs of life as well. So that the best place we found on Mars so far to find evidence of life.
The Ingenuity Helicopter can assist Perseverance in its mission by looking ahead for the driving route. The Rover drives relatively slowly as it has to move very carefully to avoid rocks and other obstacles that could damage it and shorten its life. Having an ingenuity scout up front can help Perseverance move faster and avoid danger. Ingenuity can also spot targets that seem interesting for Perseverance to investigate in more detail.
Recent intelligence mission extended until September to help Perseverance with its scientific investigations. “The Jezero river delta campaign will be the biggest challenge the Ingenuity team has faced since the first flight on Mars,” said Teddy Tzanetos, Ingenuity team leader at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. he said that time. “To increase our chances of success, we have increased our team size and made improvements to our flight software aimed at increasing operational flexibility and flight safety.”
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