NASA Image: Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) celebrated the 50th flight of its Mars ‘Ingenuity’ helicopter. On April 19, 2021, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter became the first spacecraft to perform a controlled, powered flight on another planet, that is, Mars. NASA designed the spacecraft with the goal of no more than five flights to Mars. However, thanks to the great technological demonstration, Ingenuity made its 50th trip to the red planet on April 13, 2023.
Facts about the ‘ingenuity’ of NASA’s Mars helicopter
Here are some quick facts about NASA’s Mars ‘Ingenuity’ helicopter:
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helicopter name |
Ingenuity |
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Main job |
A technology demonstration to test the first powered flight on Mars. The helicopter traveled to Mars attached to the belly of the Perseverance rover. |
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Launch |
July 30, 2020, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida |
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Landed |
February 18, 2021, Jezero Crater, Mars |
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Mission duration |
Full technology demo; transition to the new operations demonstration phase |
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Dimensions |
Height: about 19 inches (0.49 meters) Rotor system span: approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters) |
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Key Features |
Weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg) It runs on solar energy and recharges itself. Wireless communication system The counter-rotating blades rotate at approximately 2400 rpm. Equipped with computers, navigation sensors and two cameras (one in color and one in black and white) |
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NASA image and video: Mars ‘Ingenuity’ helicopter celebrates 50 flights
NASA shared on social media that “Ingenuity’s 50 flights have taken it to more than 11,500 meters (38,000 feet) above the surface of Jezero Crater, with a total flight time of nearly 90 minutes. Ingenuity reached Mars after a 480 million kilometer (300 million mile) journey with our Perseverance rover; Now, Ingenuity and Perseverance are working together, exploring the Martian soil and air for signs of ancient life.“
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Highlights of NASA’s Mars helicopter ‘Ingenuity’
Highlights of Ingenuity’s historic and successful activities on Mars are:
- It is the first aircraft to achieve controlled, powered flight on another planet, a feat that has been called the “Wright Brothers moment.”
- It has completed 89.2 minutes of flight, covering 7.2 miles (11.5 km) and reaching altitudes of up to 59.1 feet (18.0 m).
- The spacecraft successfully flies in the extremely thin Martian atmosphere.
- The helicopter previews areas of Mars of possible interest for the Perseverance rover to explore
- This innovative technology will pave the way for future aerial explorers on Mars and potentially other space destinations.
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Through this project, NASA aims to use details from the flight to give scientists new insight into the geology of Mars. This will also allow them to observe areas that are too steep or slippery to send a rover on the next mission to Mars. In the distant future, this technology could even help astronauts explore Mars.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: sef.edu.vn